Indonesia Tatler - July 2018

Few people can lay claim to as many achievements as one of our cover stars this July issue, Dr Hj. BRA Mooryati Soedibyo. In her impressive 90 years on this Earth, the good doctor has (take a deep breath…) earned a doctorate degree, become a skilled linguist, studied beauty and health, dipped her toes into politics, married the man of her choice, raised seven children, and founded one of the country’s biggest wellness companies, PT Mustika Ratu. As if those weren’t enough, she also weathered the storms of Dutch colonisation and Japanese occupation and founded a true national institution in 1991: Yayasan Puteri Indonesia. More than just the beauty pageant we are all familiar with, this foundation both champions female inclusion and helps promote the country overseas. Dr Mooryati’s daughter, Putri Kus Wisnu Wardani, joined her mother’s main company in 1985, then took over Yayasan Puteri Indonesia in 2002 as Chairwoman. We chat to the two in “Beautiful Minds” in this issue and also catch up with Puteri Indonesia 2018 Sonia Fergina Citra and the top two runners-up, Vania Fitryanti and Wilda Octaviana. In revealing to us their hopes, dreams and aspirations, all these lovely ladies show us that grit, determination, and self-belief are worth far more than superficial good looks. Hats off to them all!
Speaking of women’s accomplishments (and it’s a subject I truly relish tackling), this issue also features a candid interview with RIDE Jakarta’s Gita Sjahrir and Ayu Heni Rosan of Citra Kartini Indonesia (CIRI). The former spills the beans on some of her start-up secrets, while the latter discusses CIRI’s work in helping to create a greener planet, among many other admirable matters. Meanwhile, we chat with Cici Kusumo Pratiwi about her role with Quintessentially Indonesia and its mission to deliver its clients’ requests no matter how big or how far out—even trips into space.