In 2018, I launched byCARA as a passion project. A side hustle born out of my experience as a Fashion Editor and a personal need for something that didn’t exist in the South African market: premium, affordable costume jewellery. At the time, I was newly married and craving a middle ground - jewellery that didn’t tarnish after one wear, but didn’t come with the real price tag either.

We launched to immediate success, and in 2021, byCARA became the first South African brand to offer waterproof jewellery - a milestone that felt deeply personal to me. I spend a lot of time in the ocean, and hated having to take my jewellery off. More than that, I’ve always believed in building a somewhat sustainable lifestyle, and it was vital to me that byCARA reflected those values too.

My mission has always been to offer curated, trend-conscious jewellery - pieces that feel modern and accessible, designed to be worn every day. But somewhere between growing a business, becoming a mom of three (a son and twin girls), moving cities twice, and navigating life, I lost my sense of personal style - and with that, the authentic connection to my brand.

So I pressed pause. I turned off the website. One night, I stayed up late and reimagined byCARA from the ground up. I covered my office wall in a new mood board and gave myself the space and time to rebuild - not just the brand, but my relationship with it. This rebrand is my reset: a return to authenticity, simplicity, and style that reflects who I am today.

What I’m most proud of? The incredible community we’ve built, and the unwavering commitment to quality. Our pieces are still premium, still affordable, and now, even more personal.

byCARA is an extension of my wardrobe: think effortless, modern, minimalist pieces with a bit of edge. The kind of jewellery you layer and wear with your treasured heirlooms - like my wedding bands, my mom’s gifted diamond studs, or my gold chain with my children’s initials. I'm never without an ear stack, and now, I’m thrilled to introduce our newest evolution: the Motherhood Collection. Inspired by the phase of life I’m in, it’s everything I felt was missing in my own collection - sentimental, stylish, and made for moms who still love to feel “fancy,” as my girls like to say.

This is byCARA - reimagined, redefined, rooted in real life and now reintroduced to you.

Welcome to my world, as I know it now.

With love,
Cara Xx