The decision was catalysed by a conversation at The Bazaar Dialogues, an event co-hosted by Harper’s Bazaar India and Bicester Village. During a panel discussion on women’s empowerment in the jewellery supply chain, Anayah’s founder Nilofar Jaques was prompted to reflect on the gender imbalance within her own production facility.

“It struck me how easily we accept things as ‘normal’ without questioning them,” said Nilofar. “When I asked my team why we didn’t have any women artisans, the answers ranged from tradition to infrastructure. That’s when I realised—it’s not that women can’t do the work. The system hasn’t made space for them.”

Responding to that realisation, Anayah has now hired four female artisans at its India-based workshop, marking the beginning of a broader inclusion initiative. To ensure a supportive working environment, the brand has invested in structural changes, including the addition of women-only restrooms and revised workshop protocols aimed at ensuring safety, dignity, and comfort.

“Real empowerment is never convenient,” Nilofar said. “It requires investment, a willingness to challenge outdated systems, and a refusal to accept that things must remain the way they’ve always been.”

Founded by former investment banker Nilofar Jaques, Anayah has gained international recognition for reinterpreting traditional South Asian design for a global audience. The brand has been featured in Vogue, Forbes, and Harper’s Bazaar India, and its jewellery is worn by prominent figures across the UK, GCC, and North America.

This latest development is part of Anayah’s expanding commitment to empowering women not just through its aesthetic and storytelling, but through concrete, on-the-ground action across its supply chain.