Current Obsession: Mesty Ariotedjo

There is an old saying uttered by the late social swan Gloria Guinness in 1963 in which she scrutinized the origin of elegance, that is, “in the brain as well as the body and in the soul,” but with all due respect, as in this particular case, I would add that elegance also has its roots in blood. I too would reason myself for saying such a notion, from Isabella Rossellini who inherited her elegance from screen icon Ingrid Bergman, to Chanel-clad Princess Caroline from her mother Princess Grace Kelly, and in this very case Mesty Ariotedjo from Arti Ariotedjo.

Mesty Ariotedjo is the only daughter of Arie Prabowo Ariotedjo and Arti Ariotedjo, she has an older brother, Aryo, and a younger brother, Ditto. The family maintains a strong and firm hold on religious values that are indispensable to harmonious life.

She was debuted at Yayasan Jantung Indonesia fundraising Debutante last February alongside bright young things Cecilia Jessica Sadikin, Roberta Wachjo, and Gracia Maryulis among others. A true Indonesia’s sweetheart, she opted a national university to prepare and educate herself for a future career she has long dreamed, a physichian.

The once elected Prom Queen of SMAN 8 is currently studying at Fakultas Kedokteran Univeritas Indonesia (Medicine Faculty of University of Indonesia) and in her spare time working as a model and muse for the celebrated Indonesian designer Biyan Wanaatmadja besides acting as a spokesperson for Clinique Suisse Jakarta. But wait! You can also see her playing the harp for Atas Nama Rakyat on TV1.

Bright, beautiful, and multi-talented, the newly 20 years old lady remains modest and unpretentious, unlike many other girls who are also blessed with such advantages but tend to indulge themselves in vices. Had beauty came only from within, unaffected by the numbers of her Grace and Jane inspired bags, hers is not going to diminish.

Mesty &  Arti Ariotedjo

With fellow debs during Yayasan Jantung Indonesia Debutante Ball

Designer and Model

with Andra Bakrie

with Cecilia Jessica Sadikin

with Adinda Bakrie Ong

with Dian Muljadi Soedarjo

with Dita Srikirana Soedarjo

The greatest gift is to give: Mesty doing charity work on her birthday.

Photos from her personal collection.

Up Close & Personal with Angela Karto

Angela Karto

Livia Prananto, Franka Franklin, Angela Karto, Dewi Carlina, Inge Yap

Angela Karto and Lia Prananto

Angela Karto and Dewi Carlina

Franka Franklin, Livia Prananto, Thania Muljadi, Angela Karto

Yudha Kartohadiprodjo, Angela Karto, Rachmat Harsono

How do you spend a typical day?

Right now I’m based in Kuala Lumpur and my new project is yet to start hence I’m spending my days like I’m on an extended holiday.

What do you do to refresh yourself after a hectic week?

When I was living in Jakarta, I loved to escape to Bali for the weekends to just get away from city life and to forget about time or I’d meet up with my close friends for long lunches that lasts until teatime or long dinners that lasts until the restaurant closes.

My favourite would be to laze around by the pool with the pug or curl up in bed with a good book with Lays salt & vinegar crisps and the pug.

Do you think socializing is important?

It is important as I view socializing as networking, irregardless of the industry that one is in.

What do you think is most important in life?

It’s very important to be close and open to family because they are the ones who are most capable of giving you unconditional love and the best advices as sometimes they know you more than you know yourself.

And also to have a strong close knit of trust-worthy friends who you know will stand beside you through all your mistakes, faults, triumphs, tears, joys, indecisions and decisions.

Everything else will just fall into place with time when you have created a strong foundation for yourself and are surrounded by people who truly care about you.

As a woman, do you think beauty is important?

Yes

Then what do you do to manage that?

When you take care of yourself it shows your self-worth and self-love. When you look good, you’ll feel good.

I try to have a balanced diet but I don’t deprive myself from my chili cheese fries, crisps or chocolates but I eat in moderation.

Even if I just exercise for 10 min today I’d still pat myself on the back, this way I condition myself to not see exercising as a ‘chore’.

I believe in you are what you eat, so I cut down on processed, instant and pre-packed food.

I always try to eat fresh food and stay away from MSG that contributes to hair fall and sodium which causes water retention.

Alas, I have acne prone skin so I have to pay extra attention to it. I use L’Occitane which is natural and organic and it works very well for me.

How do you define your personal style?

It’s defined by those whom are closest to me.

What is your secret of beautiful and healthy hair?

My secrets which all of my girlfriends already know are;

I don’t dye my hair except for once when I was in high school. Thinking it was so cool to have blonde hair only to have to dye back to black the next day because I got suspended by the head master and to top things off, I was then grounded for a month by my unimpressed oldies.

Hair dye contains harsh chemical which could also lead to unhealthy scalp but if you do dye your hair then make sure you go for salon hair spa treatments or I love hot oil home treatments which softens my coarse hair up instantly.

I don’t use any specific brand of shampoo or conditioner as I constantly switch brands but I always make sure that it does not contain high level of lauryl sulfate. It’s not about the brand of the products or how much it costs; it’s finding products that works for your hair and life-style. Right now I’m using Pantene for hair fall (because it was on special offer), it leaves my hair soft and smooth but sadly it doesn’t really help with the hair fall that I’m going through right now.

Each time after I swim in the sea or pool, I’ll always make sure to wash my hair thoroughly to remove all traces of chlorine and seawater that dries hair.

I never wash my hair with hot water. During winter of course I do but I’ll make sure the last rinse is with cold water to close up the pores and makes your hair shine naturally. But I swear by using cold mineral water as your last rinse. You can really feel and see the difference.

Don’t tie your hair up for too long because it weakens your roots and leaves an unsightly mark.

Don’t wear caps for too often and make sure you take it off once in a while if you sweat. Exhibit A – Andre Agassi, need I say more?

Bun your hair up and try to wear a hat while tanning or doing activities under the sun as it’ll lighten your hair color.

Always brush your hair from the bottom first and gradually move up to reduce hair fall.

Oily scalp doesn’t always mean you have to wash your hair more often. It could also mean your scalp is very dry and the glands are over compensating for it.

To get volume for lanky hair, tilt your head downwards and alternate your hair dryer between hot and cold air but don’t aim the nozzle too close to your hair.

Reduce the use of hair spray or any hair products that contains alcohol as it will dry out your hair and scalp.

Stay away from curling or straightening irons as they ‘cook’ your hair and will cause it to break.

On most days I’ll let my hair dry naturally and I’ll only go to salon to blow dry my hair for special events.

I have a few gray strands now and the oldies weren’t lying when they say if I pluck them, more will just grow back to mock you!

Fun facts;

Favorite designers: Prada for work dresses, YSL for work suits, Galliano & Valentino for skinny jeans, Abercrombie & Juicy Couture for chilling. Actually I’m not too particular about brand names. If it compliments me then I’ll take it. But currently I’m in love with Roberto Cavalli’s entire s/s collection; favorite make-ups: Laura Mercier for foundation, concealer & translucent powder, Anna Sui for mascara, eye shadows, blush, perfume & eyeliner because I love their packaging. Shu Uemura is unbeatable for eyelash curler and make up brushes; (top ten) favorite people in Jakarta: my workaholic & chic BFF Dewi Carlina, the smartest & yet blondest at times, Inge Yap, always suave and the most hardworking globe trotter, Rachmat Harsono, the kindest & generous hearted, Livia & Lia Prananto,the ever creative Yudha Kartohadiprodjo who always knows the best places to eat & must-see places all over the world, the merriest and cutest, Aniva Franka Franklin whom i lovingly call Nims, Christian Rijanto, who always recommends the best places to stay and amazing restaurants all over the globe, Leah Widjaja, super mom & super career woman of Sinar Mas Group, and Kiki Utara, the best PR in Asia and the only man capable of making me laugh until I tear up.

Current Obsession: Gaby Bakrie

Gaby Barkie (née Djorghi) is a successful restaurateur who owns several establishments including Twilite Café, Magenta, and WWWok. She studied Law at the Trisakti Unversity, Jakarta. A true beauty herself, she tried her luck in modeling when she was younger.

She, and other names from her family including Indra Usmansyah Bakrie, Eda Bakrie, Intania Bakrie, and Adinda Bakrie, has become regular fixtures in the city’s high society.

Despite all the abundance of privileges in her life, Gaby still manages a humble and giving personality. Because after all, beauty comes from within.

A true beauty

Celebrating her birthday at Puro

Indra & Gaby Bakrie

Indra & Gaby Bakrie

Family comes first; at Indra’s birthday

Best friends; Bianca Lutfi, Cynthia Risjad, Gaby Bakrie

Intania, Arya, and Gaby Bakrie

Breakfast at Bergdorf’s?

Current Obsession: Manohara Odelia Pinot

There might be many teenagers out there that show their fondness of splurging on indulgences, but few would show their fondness of compassionately caring and helping for others. The young Manohara Pinot has just adopted two children – one with special needs – to be taken care of at her house. With Indonesian and French descent, she calls Cannes her home and Jakarta her ‘new’ home.

She started her love for fashion at an early age. She loves Roberto Cavalli dresses, Christian Louboutin shoes, Birkin bags, Audemars Piguet and Roger Dubuis watches just to name a few. A close source said that Manohara is exteremely down-to-earth, unlike any other women you see toting Birkins on Louboutin heels, “She is beautiful, outside and inside,” added our source.

Besides preparing to enroll in public relations major at a university in Jakarta, this soft-spoken young lady enjoys painting and writing in her free time. With beauty and grace that resemble Marella Agnelli, combined with such an impeccable manner, Manohara always looks effortlessly elegant and stunning.

Miss Manohara Odelia Pinot

Dewi, Dessy, and Manohara Pinot

Dewi & Manohara Pinot

Rumour has it that she’s dating someone from the Bakrie family.

The Pinot sisters; Dewi & Manohara

Up Close & Personal with Dita Srikirana Soedarjo part. 2

Mita, Dita, Soetikno, and Putri Soedarjo

Dian & Dita Soedarjo with Thania Muljadi

The Soedarjo girls; Dita, Putri, and Mita

Dita & Putri Soedarjo

We understand that as a student at JIS, partying is one inevitable routine, but according to what we read on your recent interview’s comments, your friends stated that you no longer attend parties, how is that possible?

I do go to parties but lately, the last party I attended was Jovita’s because she’s one of my good friends and it was a birthday party. I know my limits. I know my boundaries. I have someone I’m very in love with therefore I see no point of going clubbing anymore. I go to church but a lot of people say why does she still party? So many questions like that. We’re all sinners; we want to forget yesterdays because everyday is a new day. I want to go to church because I want to learn more, I want strength from the lord, I want to ask for forgiveness. I still study hard, I have math lessons, I take challenging classes. Like what one person said, I am a balance. 🙂

How do you respond to the rumours?

I’m a normal girl; I still have a lot to do in my life than listening to peoples’ bad talk. I have good family, I have good friends, I have good life so I keep myself very busy especially exam is coming up soon! I need to study very hard. I also pray because if God always forgives me, why can’t I forgive others?

How do you see your mother – Mrs. Dian M Soedarjo?

She’s a role model. She’s beautiful. She’s a nice woman. We argues because we are normal people, we have disagreement but she always wins because after all, she’s my mom. She supports me, she tells me when I’m crossing the line, she teaches me to pray. She’s the love of my life.

Questions via emails;

What is your advice for young girls in high school dealing the same thing you do? Renata

High school is tough young lady! You have to try your best to focus on what is good and right. People wont stop talking so for now, try to get that good grades, stay close to the people you love and to everyone else… still be nice but watch your back.

I also believe you really have to try to believe the best out of a person, stay strong 🙂 life is tough.

Being a high school girl like you, do you have boys problems or problems with your parents?

Problems are always there. Tell your problems, “hey problems, I have a big GOD by my side”

About love life, I believe you just have to find that right person that makes you happy. Other times, we get hurt, we get left, we get cheated on.. cry for a week, don’t be afraid to cry but after a week, move on move move on. 🙂

Part that makes me real is I’ve had my heart broken. We all had before.
You learn from your past like always but don’t let it affect your future. Because your future store so much goodness 😉

What is the motto for a young socialite like you?

This one has to be… “You live, you love, you learn.”

What is it really like to be a Dita Soedarjo?

I believe I’m a normal girl. I go to school, I do have lessons after school, I have good friends to laugh, cry, and have fun with. I go to church on Sunday with my family. I believe in everyone’s life we will always have problems; we will always have people who HATE us and people who LOVE us. I’m all about starting over and change. I’m all about wanting to be independent. Like what I said before. I’m as real as any girl could get.

Fun Facts;

Favourite make-ups: Nars Bronzer and Estee Lauder Foundation, shower gel: anything from Body Shop, shampoo: Paul Mitchell, Kerastase, favourite celebrity: Kim Kardashian, favourite shopping places: I’m simple girl. I do like my mom’s Chanel bags a lot. But Guess and Topshop will do enough for me, favourite cities: Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Bali

Up Close & Personal with Dita Srikirana Soedarjo part. 1

Dita, Soetikno, Dian

Mita, Dita

Dita Soedarjo

What is your plan for your future?

I’m moving in august to a prestigious boarding school named Webb in Claremont, close to L.A. definitely. When I grow up, my goal is to please God and be a happy person. I’m not looking for fame, money, being a boss, being this that there. I just want to be a good person and live my life happily.

What college/univ do you plan to enroll?

I want to go to USC, UCLA, Harvard, Pepperdine, anywhere in the USA, anywhere where I can learn and experience many things even good or bad.

Where are your favourite places to hang out?

My favorite place to hang out is my friends’ house, malls, my house (I love my house too much).

In Los Angeles, I love Katsuya and Nobu restaurant. I love going to church in JACC GBI called Glow with an amazing pastor named ‘pendeta Gilbert Lumoindong’.

What is your favourite designer?

Juicy Couture all the way. I love love love love love!

Who are your role models and why?

My parents, they love me unconditionally, they teach me what it’s like to a be a humble hardworking person, they teach me strong values in life, they really take care of me very well.

What are the things you can’t live without?

I can’t live without Jesus because he’s so good to me all the time and died for me.
I can’t live without my friends, they’re too great and a whole loads of fun.
I can’t live without my supports – Putri and Mita Soedarjo.
I can’t live without my family and definitely mie goreng!
I love fried noodle.
I love everything that is in my life basically.

What perfume do you usually wear?

I use all my mom’s perfume… But my personal favorite is Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue.

How do you keep it real?

I’m as real as any girl could get. I have bad days. I have good days. I have cried. I have laughed myself to tears. I have failed. I have succeeded. I have hurt and I have been hurt. I think in life you just need faith and good real people to be there for you and talk to you for hours on the phone and someone to share everything with.

And, last but not least;

If you’re asked to join some philanthropic organizations, what would you choose?

I want to be part of the UN. I want to work at Lakewood Church.

Current Obsession: Adinda Bakrie

Unlike any other socialites whose last names are rather unfamiliar to the ears of thousands of people in our nation, Miss Adinda has a last name that even millions of Indonesians are familiar with. Voted as the second most charismatic last name (refer to poll results) – slightly below Soeharto, Bakrie to Indonesians is like de Rothschild to Europeans.

Having such prestigious family name can be advantageous, and at the same time detrimental – for those who are incapable of maintaining a good image. But for the young Miss Adinda, with her pristine beauty and graceful personality, having ‘Bakrie’ as her last name is only a fringe benefit. Graduated magna cum laude from Babson College, the effortlessly gorgeous young lady impressed thousands of Indonesians as she headed back her hometown years ago. Being a regular fixture in social events and having her pictures published in lifestyle magazines, this ‘girl-about-town’ has also become enormously famous for her good qualities among the society.

If you wonder why Mrs. Dotty Arwin Rasyid’s daughter is missing from the city’s glamorous social events these few weeks, expect to see her around in Hong Kong!

The sultry girl-about-town Miss Adinda Bakrie

Miss Adinda Bakrie

Seng Hoo Ong, Adinda & Gaby Bakrie

The lovely Bakrie ladies; Adinda, Intania, Gaby

Seng Hoo Ong, Adinda Bakrie

Gorgeous in yellow; Aga Bakrie, Elsa Kurniawan, Adinda Bakrie, Seng Hoo Ong

Elsa Kurniawan, Tirza Tabitha, Ermanda Saskia Siregar, Joy Roesma, Adinda Bakrie, Janna K. Soekasah, Jessica Nathalie, Amanda Soekasah, Zavnura Pingkan Sadikin, Indah Saugi

Tirza Tabitha, Adinda Bakrie, Indah Saugi, Jessica Nathalie