In celebration of International Women’s Day, Chokolaate, in collaboration with The Shoppes at City of Dreams, hosted a special event titled “Celebrate the Hustle” on 8 March 2026. Held as part of The Shoppes’ ongoing focus on creating space for meaningful brand, lifestyle and community-led activations, the event brought together a distinguished group of professional women, entrepreneurs and industry representatives for an evening centred on empowerment, inspiration and connection.

This year’s event was built around the theme “Give to Gain,” reflecting the idea that growth is shaped through generosity, courage and purpose. The theme highlighted how women who share their time, knowledge, support and strength often gain confidence, resilience, opportunity and empowerment in return, creating a cycle of personal progress and wider community upliftment.

Curated through a collaboration between Chokolaate and The Shoppes at City of Dreams, the event also reflected The Shoppes’ growing role as a destination that regularly hosts experiential activations, brand-led engagements and community-focused gatherings, while creating opportunities for people to connect through curated retail and lifestyle experiences.

One of the key highlights of the evening was the Aspiring Entrepreneurs Session, which featured two brands available at The Shoppes, Chamathka and Parfumarie. Chamathaka Evanjalee of Chamathka and Niki Hundlani of Parfumarie shared their entrepreneurial journeys, speaking candidly about the challenges they faced, the lessons they learned and the drive that helped them build their brands. Their stories offered encouragement and practical insight for aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals in attendance.

The event also featured an interactive Cupcake Decoration Session, designed to encourage teamwork, networking and collaboration among guests from varied professional backgrounds. The activity brought together participants across roles and designations in a lively and inclusive setting, reinforcing the message that support, collaboration and shared experiences remain central to empowerment. The Lounge by Layover and All Things Oats powered this segment.

Adding a playful element to the evening, Aroma Bliss Ceylon hosted an engaging game session titled “Grab Your Glow,” which drew enthusiastic participation and added energy to the programme.

Guests were also invited to enjoy a luxury tea experience by Basilur Tea at the Basilur Tea Gallery at The Shoppes. There, invitees experienced the brand’s hand-rolled teas, prepared to reflect freshness, craftsmanship and heritage, and served in 22-karat gold hand-painted tea cups. The experience added a distinctly Sri Lankan touch to the evening and gave guests a memorable moment of indulgence.

To recognise the women who took part in the event, Zam Gems, which is marking its 50th anniversary, extended a special gesture of appreciation by inviting guests to its store for a curated gift experience inspired by the brilliance, strength and elegance of Sri Lankan gemstones.

The success of “Celebrate the Hustle” was made possible through the support of a strong network of brand partners, further reflecting The Shoppes’ role as a collaborative platform for retail-led activations. Kela & Co came on board as sponsor, while All Things Oats, Aroma Bliss and Layover joined as segment partners. The event was further supported by Vision Care, Basilur Tea, Flower Park, Tofo, Paired, Keten, Exclusive Lines, Zam Gems, Arbor, Knuckles Valley, Esna Jewellery, Chamathka, Parfumarie, and t-Lounge & Bar by Dilmah, bringing together a diverse mix of brands to shape the overall experience.