Last Saturday, Carat Lane, a diamond jewellery retailer, announced the launch of its newest initiative, titled ‘Women of Mettle’. The event was held as a part of their Chennai store’s 7th anniversary celebrations, and will induct women achievers as brand ambassadors. One such achiever was squash champion and equal pay activist Dipika Pallikal, who recently won her second Nationals title earlier this month. Along with an array of jewellery from the brand’s signature line on display, ten women were nominated as members at the event.
Other than Dipika Pallikal, members included VJ Paloma Rao, Dr Priya Selvaraj, Rumaiza Fathima & Meera Ravi of The Dream Theme, teacher-turned-entrepreneur Sandhya Rajan, RJ Sanobar Sultana, fashion designer Shilpa Vummiti, Taj Hotels’ corporate director Sanjuktha Roy, and former product consultant Shakthi Vijaykumar.
Dipika Pallikal, who had boycotted the Senior National Championships in 2011 to protest the prize money difference between the men’s and women’s events, recently won the title for a second time. She rejoined the tournament after prize money was equalised for both events. Dressed in a black off-shoulder jumpsuit, Pallikal was an inspiring presence at the event. Another member was Paloma Rao, who had become a VJ while still in college, after successfully auditioning for SS music’s VJ hunt. She wore a grey cutout mini dress.
Vipin Nair, Associate Vice-President (Marketing), Carat Lane said that the brand hopes to “induct women achievers from different walks of life to be evangelised as our brand consuls”. The programme, said Lane, aims to reach out to contemporary Indian women through “real and relatable role models” and create a common ground for stirring conversations through talks and workshops, organised at their outlets.
Watch and jewellery company Titan, a part of the Tata Group, recently picked up a majority stake in Caratlane.
