A mother-daughter duo from West Kelowna, British Columbia, recently achieved a significant milestone in their jewelry-making career. Donna and Danielle Scheven, founders of Carolily Jewelry, witnessed their creations grace the runway at the prestigious Paris Fashion Week.
“It was an incredible experience,” Danielle Scheven remarked, still in awe of the event. “We had so many moments where we had to pinch ourselves to believe it was real.”
Established in 2015, Carolily specializes in crafting elegant, classic jewelry pieces. While the brand had previously showcased at New York Fashion Week in 2019, their Paris debut marked their first international appearance, carrying special significance for the creators.
Their journey to Paris began when their signature Carolily necklace caught the attention of British Vogue. This led to an invitation from Flying Solo, a PR and production team, to apply for Paris Fashion Week. Despite fierce competition from hundreds of global applicants, Carolily secured a coveted spot at the event.
Unlike previous shows, the Paris event offered more creative freedom. Donna Scheven embraced this opportunity, designing an unrestrained collection for the runway. In Paris, the Schevens participated in a unique pairing process with fashion designers, eventually collaborating with Silk Epoque by Olga Zieman, a brand that complemented Carolily’s aesthetic perfectly.
“Watching our jewelry on the runway, hearing the audience’s admiration, it was all surreal,” Danielle shared. “The venue embodied Parisian chic, aligning beautifully with our brand ethos.”
Carolily’s ethos centers on promoting self-love and individual expression through statement jewelry. The company, run entirely by women, draws inspiration from family heritage, with its name honoring Donna’s mother and grandmother.
Following their Paris success, Carolily has released parts of their runway collection for public purchase. The brand is now focusing on expanding across Canada and establishing partnerships with retailers in the United Kingdom, continuing to build on their international momentum.