HILDA

Q: WHAT INSPIRED THE OLD KHAKI X BYCARA COLLECTION?

A: My 5-year-old and I have a special game where we express our love for each other, trying to outdo one another with each attempt. One of my favourite lines she says is: ‘I love you more than ice cream.’ When Cara and I were brainstorming ideas for Mother’s Day, she shared that her and her son say, ‘I love you more than the universe and all the stars.’ It reminded me of the vastness of a mother’s love, how it becomes your gravity, your sun, moon and stars. This inspired me to create a reminder of this boundless love - something tangible to carry with you, highlighting the profound significance of motherhood. Cara, being a mom of three, instantly connected with this idea of giving mothers a message to hold close. We played around with abstract designs, carefully considering shapes, chains, and sizes to make each piece unique and meaningful.

Q: WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE COLLECTION?

A: We offer nine pieces in total: three chains, three rings and three earrings – each drawing inspiration from the sun, moon and stars. Crafted to be worn solo or layered, they’re designed to complement each other when worn together, but also seamlessly integrate into your existing jewellery collection.

CARA

Q: WHEN DID YOUR PASSION FOR JEWELLERY BEGIN AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START YOUR BRAND?

A: I launched byCARA in 2019 while working as a stylist and fashion editor in the media industry, surrounded by clothing every day. Observing upcoming trends, I noticed a gap in the market: affordable, durable jewellery. Existing options seemed to offer either cheap, short-lived costume jewellery or expensive gold chains, neither of which appealed to me. Determined to find an alternative, I researched and started a small side hustle. I launched on Instagram only, and once my inventory arrived, byCARA took off. Five years later, I'm proud to say we're still thriving.

Q: WHAT INSPIRED THE OLD KHAKI X BYCARA JEWELLERY COLLECTION?

A: Old Khaki approached us with the idea for a Mother’s Day collaboration, which felt like a perfect match since I am a mother of three. We drew inspiration from a phrase I've always shared with my son, now 5 years old: ‘I love you to the universe and the stars, infinitely.’ This sentiment struck a chord with both me and the accessories buyer, Hilda, leading us to develop a collection centered around the celestial theme, highlighting the sun, moon, stars, and universe.

Q: HOW DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL WHEN WEARING THIS COLLECTION?

A: Just like with any of my byCARA pieces, I aim for them to be the finishing touch to your look. My goal is for you to feel beautiful and effortlessly polished. As a mom and business owner, my go-to outfit is jeans and a T-shirt. It's my staple look, but I always complete it with accessories - they give me the confidence to tackle whatever comes my way. That's the feeling I want to evoke in others.

Q: THIS COLLECTION IS WATER RESISTANT, WHAT ELSE MAKES IT DIFFERENT OR SPECIAL? 

A. We chose to work with stainless steel, which is recognised as the most environmentally friendly metal due to its minimal toxic discharge during production and resistance to tarnishing. We combined that process with a special thick gold plating, so you can swim, exercise and wear lotion. Plus, byCARA was the first in the country to offer it, so I’m really excited about it.

Q: CAN YOU GIVE US A FEW STYLING TIPS? 

As I've emphasised previously, layering is key for me. Typically, I wear a statement earring in the front, complemented by studs and huggies at the back. You have the flexibility to wear them all together for a cohesive look or mix and match with other cherished pieces to create your own look. 

Q: DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE PIECE FROM THE COLLECTION?

Yes, I love the Celestial Sun Drop Earrings and the Celestial Stars Chunky Ring. They're just the right size - not too large, not too small