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Older and Wiser

Seems like it-girl Adinda Bakrie is not the only person in town who threw socialite-studded birthday party last May, businessman Adiguna Sutowo, son of the late Ibnu Sutowo, also celebrated his birthday at Blowfish Kitchen & Bar.

Vika Sutowo, Sabella ‘Tini’ Soegomo, Vashty Soegomo, Karina Wiano, designers Elga Naldy and Chossy Latu, Lunamarina Melvin, PR king Kiki Utara, Samantha Ivanno, Tio Setyoso, Deddy Rizaldi, Sys Sakri, Panca Makmun, Monica Tian, actresses Dian Sastrowardoyo and Velove Vexia Kaligis, it-boy Mirza Juneo, Herwinto Sutowo, and Cecile Seruni Sutowo was among the guests.

Guests were fashionably dressed in beautiful batik – looks like everyone’s (except for Elga Naldy, Lunamarina Melvin, and few others) having a batik-fever now. Daughter of Adiguna Sutowo, the seventeen year old Cecile Seruni Sutowo, was definitely the belle of the night.

Sabella & Vashty Soegomo, Adiguna & Vika Sutowo

Adiguna & Vika Sutowo, Deddy Rizaldi

Kiki Utara, Deddy Rizaldi, Monica Tian, Elga Naldy

Sabella ‘Tini’ Soegomo, Elga Naldy

Three fine ladies; Vika Sutowo, Elga Naldy, Lunamarina Melvin

The fabulous Lunamarina Melvin with designer Chossy Latu

Herwinto Sutowo, Velove Vexia Kaligis, Cecile Seruni Sutowo, Mirza Juneo

The belle of the night, Cecile Seruni Sutowo

Celebrate Fashionably!

Besides wedding, birthday is also a worth celebrating occasion. Jakarta’s very own it-girl has just turned twenty-six last month.

There might be disappointments from those who had expected sumptuous and lavish celebration because despite the immensely increasing wealth of her uncle – Aburizal Bakrie, Adinda only threw a modest celebration attended by her closest friends and relatives.

Birthday girl’s dearest friend, the uber-talented young designer Didit Hediprasetyo was among the fabulous guests that include Indra, Gaby, Intania, and Andra Bakrie, Seng-Hoo Ong, Manohara Pinot, the Soekasah twins, Indah Saugi, Elsa Kurniawan, Vashty Soegomo, Wulan Guritno, Dian Sastrowardoyo, Renny Sutiyoso, Kiki Utara, Ronald Liem, Rachmat Harsono, Livia Prananto, and Fitria Yusuf.

The birthday girl was looking effortlessly chic in a dress by Emilio Pucci (yes, that print du jour) with a quirky yet sweet hairdo. What else can I say other than “Wow!”

Blow the candles, birthday girl!

Gaby Bakrie, Didit Hediprasetyo, Adinda Bakrie

Intania Bakrie, Adinda Bakrie, Didit Hediprasetyo

Ronald Liem, Adinda Bakrie

Stunning guest Fitria Yusuf with the equally stunning birthday girl

Adinda between the Soekasah twins

Happy birthday Adinda!

Photos from her personal collection.

Current Obsession: Thania Muljadi

Young, gorgeous, and bubbly are the first three words that came into our minds when we heard the name – Thania Muljadi. Maybe there are many other words that can describe this heiress-about-town, or maybe words can never do enough to describe her. She’s a regular fixture in Jakarta’s younger society set.

She was born the second of four into the affluent Muljadi family. She is the granddaughter of reputable senior lawyer Kartini Muljadi – voted the eighth most influential woman in Indonesia by Globe magazine, the niece of Indonesia’s Harpers Bazaar’s editor-in-chief Dian Soedarjo – voted the twenty-ninth within the same category, and heiress to the distinguished Tempo Group that hold PT. Rudy Soetadi which distribute Clinique, MAC, Estee Lauder, and Revlon to name a few.

She’s friends with Livia Prananto, Franka Franklin, Almer Joesoef, Vashty Soegomo, Rachmat Harsono, Bianca Maryulis, Christian Rijanto, Zaky Sulisto, and counts Putri, Mita, and Dita Soedarjo as her cousins.

Graduated from The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in 2005, she then pursued her passion for styling in her hometown, Jakarta. With background and personality like hers, bet capturing the sweet smell of success is not just a dream.

Kartini Muljadi, Thania Muljadi

Dita Srikirana Soedarjo, Thania Muljadi

Livia Prananto, Thania Muljadi, Franka Franklin

Thania Muljadi, Vashty Soegomo

Thania Muljadi, Cindy Lopulisa, Sjully Darsono, Lily Amrina

Dian Sastrowardoyo, Thania Muljadi

Thania Muljadi, Devitri Anita Harun

The Splendid Wedding Plan

Love is in air, and we hope that you feel it too, but if you don’t, one thing that we know for sure is that love is in the air for the bride & groom to be Adinda Bakrie and Seng-Hoo Ong. Marriage is (hopefully) a once in a lifetime ceremony, so you will remember your wedding celebration for the rest of your life.

Planning a dream wedding celebration has never been easy, yet it could be easier for some people. Commissioning a professional wedding organizer and event designer can be very helpful, moreover if you’re commissioning the world’s preeminent event designer, Preston Bailey. Prepare yourself to be amazed by all the splendor and grandeur that is truly (or not-so-truly) Indonesian.

There has never been an official announcement regarding how much the celebration will cost.

Current Obsession: Sabrina Joseph

Dozens of girls within the society are dying to look gorgeous, if it takes awful pain to get there, they’ll take it. Yet, that is not the end of the quest, the circle goes; if they want to be respected, stick to the proper manner, if they want to be sought-after by the fashion people, wear the latest trend, if they always want to be invited, mingle with the right clique, if you want to be envied, spend like a madwoman, yet living it is much more torturing than just reading it.

But such wicked and relentless social rules do not apply to this vivacious young lady with extreme fondness for fun. Blessed with naturally tantalizing physique (do I need to mention why?), perfectly sun-kissed tan, lively personality, and well-connected parents, this champagne-swelling daughter of Putra and Imelda Joseph has everything a girl needs for her social entrance – climbing is one absolutely unnecessary action.

A soon-to-be graduate of Jakarta International School, she has partied with Yasha Arifin, Rachel Nathani, Rei Kawano, Kezia Joy Toemion, Michele Soeyadjaya, and Cindy Angelina to name a few.

I wish there are more girls like Sabrina in the society. We’re definitely going to watch her as she takes her place in Jakarta’s blooming younger social scene.

Will she change the nature of this society? We’ll see.

Photo courtesy of Eric Chang Photoworks

Photo courtesy of Eric Chang Photoworks

Photo courtesy of Eric Chang Photoworks

Photo courtesy of Eric Chang Photoworks

Michele Soeyadjaya, Sabrina Joseph, Rachel Nathani, Rei Kawano

Rei Kawano, Rachel Nathani, Sabrina Joseph, Michele Soeryadjaya

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.

Scandalicious Case Solved?

I, just like everybody else in the town, love our ‘Angga’, and as you can see, l will clarify his scandalicious case. But the truth is, Blake Lively and Leighton Meester were not in Jakarta weeks ago! Leighton and Blake were busy shooting for GG’s new episodes and attending fabulous black-tie events in various gorgeous dresses in New York. (BFF Michelle Trachtenberg and Lydia Hearst will also star GG!)

Yes, D’Makaveli are considering whether they will, or will not, organize an event that will have Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, and Taylor Momsen as the hosts – here, in our very own Jakarta.

He just sent an email to JSB attaching this uber-authentic and signed and oh-so-fresh-from-the-oven formal letter from Josh Schwartz of Sony Music Entertainment, Inc (he’s working for Warner Bros anyway, but who knows? Angga must have found out that he has already moved to Sony before we do). It must be faxed, see the date! Just remember, faux letter will result faux pas, but of course, I do believe that this is real – even mad man won’t take the risk of faking an autograph, and Angga is not even mad!

Case closed!

You better believe it, because no one but Josh Schwartz of CWTV and Warner Bros can tell the truth.

The signed letter

Blake Lively & Penn Badgley

Leighton Meester in Yves Saint Laurent

Taylor Momsen

Photos courtesy of style.com

xoxo,

Southern Heat

PS. Guys, please comment with smart discussions without offensive contents and be logical!