Episode 11; Manuel Mallen, CEO Courbet, talks gender equality with Chiara Condi

The Other Half : Conversations With Men on Gender Equality

Today we talk ethics, luxury and gender equality with Manuel Mallen, the founder of Courbet an ethical jewelry company named after the 19th century artist who wanted to dismantle the iconic column of Place Vendome and whose painting, the Origin of the World, is still considered pornography by modern search engines. After a career in luxury watch making Manuel decided to disrupt the jewelry business by founding an ethical jewelry company (he co founded with a woman, Marianne) in Place Vendome, the epicenter of the jewelry world, because “knowing the rules makes you a better revolutionary for disrupting the system.’ Manuel tells us that 15 out of 18 of his employees are women because it is important to consider the needs of his customers, and that having a female cofounder adds balance, background and perspective to important decision making within the company. We talk about how women have transformed the jewelry business, from becoming more involved in their engagement rings, to directly purchasing products instead of being gifted them, to embracing new technology and values. Manuel tells us how his daughters have sparked his evolution and alignment with his own values, which is why he asks himself “what kind of world do I want to leave for my children?” before every decision he makes. Now what if we all did just that?