Jakarta Social Blog

Indonesia Tatler, May 2007

Few people have the capacity, or even the audacity, to be their true authentic self. Jessica Natalie is indeed a portrayal of the carefree being, much unaffected by the trials of everyday life, however hard it maybe. But out of the carefree attitude came the most simple and perhaps, quite daring life philosophy.

Born and raised in a high-prominent family in the megapolitan city of Jakarta, Jessica developed her independent spirit straight from her childhood. And with it, came her love for fashion and anything related to style. “Fashion is my passion. It is one of the ways I express myself. Like artists expressing themselves through their art, I use fashion as a tool to channel what I feel inside. And in a way, fashion is like painting and I am the canvas,” laughed Jessica.

Jessica is indeed blessed with a wonderful figure, silky-long smooth hair and a beautiful skin, all which are maintained with a regular dosage of fitness time and spa therapy. In other words, she is the perfect dream-girl for every designer. “I don’t consider myself to be sexy because I’m quite petite but I like to maintain and enhance what I have. They said that beauty comes from within, and I like to look good and dress well because that’s what I feel inside,” said Jessica while posing for her first shot with a black Roberto Cavalli bolero dress.

A long time fan of Roberto Cavalli, Jessica still remembers her first encounter with the high-end designer brand. “I forgot how long it was ago, but I remember seeing this beautiful dress in a magazine, and I just said to myself that I need to have this dress. I saw the designer’s name and it was Roberto Cavalli, and I immediately called several stores to hunt it down,” Jessica remembers. “And now, the dress is hanging in my closet, still untouched after all these years.”

Personally, she feels that each and every piece of clothing carries a labor of love by their designers, and therefore has their own story. Even more so, we as owners of the clothes extend those stories, making each attire as unique as each individual who wears it. “I love the excitement of wearing the clothes for the first time. That’s why I still have many clothes that I haven’t had the heart to wear, yet, because it is all about the first moments: the initial look when you first see that dress in the store, the excitement when you finally bought it, the feel of the fabric against your skin, and of course the anticipation when everything fits together with the make-up, shoes and everything else that comes with it. When you have worn the clothes, all the excitement will eventually subside, and you don’t experience that thrill anymore. Like going on a roller coaster ride over and over again, you finally get used to it and it won’t be as exciting as the first time,” said Jessica who spends her time globe-trotting between Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Los Angeles.

She admits that her style has evolved quite vividly throughout the years, from a more casual and laid-back style to a more sensual one. “I don’t like to dress up in an ultra-feminine style. It is just not me. Right now I prefer to dress with sensual clothes that fits right in proportion with my body, but I don’t want it to be too revealing too,” she said. “I used to wear jeans or shorts all the time, combined with a casual top, a designer handbag and a nice pair of sandals. But now I think I’m better in dressing up.”

She poses next with a kimono-style dress with flower prints and a black lace underneath. Set contrastingly above the blue-lit floor and mirrored background, Jessica shines in every shot, the perfect muse for every photographer. It is true that it is the person carries the clothes, not the other way around, and Jessica definitely delivers. “I like to go shopping in Europe and the States, simply because there are more varieties that I can choose from. Sometimes I also like to go to Singapore, but it’s not often that I go there,” said the avid accessories collector. “I love great pieces of accessories like the Roberto Cavalli snake bangles, and I also love their necklaces. For shoes I prefer Giuseppe Zanotti because for me they are the most comfortable to wear. I don’t like to buy shoes just for the sake of buying them or because they look nice and are in the trend. Comfort means everything. I don’t even own any Manolo Blahniks.”

But beneath all the glamour and blitz is a simple person, an embracer of life, and not being afraid to be who she truly is. “I try to live a simple life, and I try to make it as simple as I can. I am grateful for all the things that I have right now, and I just want to enjoy everything life has to offer me. Life is as hard as it is, and I don’t think we should make it more complicated, should we not?” she smiled.

Jessica Nathalie in Roberto Cavalli

The extremely stunning Jessica Nathalie

Jessica Nathalie, Intania Bakrie

Rasha Dadlani, Rifi Aprilia, Dian Sastrowardoyo, Jessica Nathalie, Janna K Soekasah

Jessica Nathalie, Janna Soekasah, Nicky Hilton, Paris Hilton, Dian Sastrowardoyo, Rifi Aprilia

Jessica Nathalie, Dian Sastrowardoyo

Jessica Nathalie, Adinda Bakrie, Janna K Soekasah