Style

Pre-loved is the new new: A tale of style, sustainability and luxury

Sustainability concerns and increased accessibility through local online marketplaces are contributing to changing attitudes toward the secondhand market.

Table Setting

Five surprisingly delicious leaves you can find in the wilds of West Java

Plucking a leaf from the sea of green to his right, Isep Kurnia ripped it in two and passed it to us. “This is edible too,” he said, “it tastes similar to kacang panjang [long bean].”

Pawrenting

How far will you go for your pets? The Rise of ‘pawrenting’

As our relationships with our fur babies evolve, it is becoming more accepted globally and surprisingly, locally, to spend copious amounts of money on our pets.

Luxury

Champagne wishes, caviar dreams: Musings on luxury from the 73rd floor

“Women who were merely well-off saved up and bought dresses made of silk edged with lace and pearls, but Lady Ramkin was so rich she could afford to stomp around the place in rubber boots and a tweed skirt that had belonged to her mother.” Men at Arms, Terry Pratchett.

Fiction

Catharsis

Below is an excerpt from Alessandra Corine Silapan’s essay of the same title, which won second place in the Creative category of The Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition (HCGEC) 2024. Alessandra is currently a student at Binus School Simprug in South Jakarta.

Table Setting

Sip and Savor: Where to wine down in Jakarta

If you’ve been in Jakarta long enough, you will know that unwinding after hours of stressful work and gridlock is necessary for survival, and a relaxing glass of wine is one of the top ways to do that. Whether that be a deep red, a refreshing white or a delicate rosé, Jakarta has plenty of spots offering a wide selection of the best bottles from all over the world.

Wellness

Undoing the sweet aftermath of Eid festivities

From hidden sugars to traditional treats, doctors and nutritionists share how we can navigate the sweet maze while balancing health and tradition.

Style

The ever-evolving identity of Indonesia’s streetwear scene

Indonesian streetwear stands out through its rich amalgamation of local cultures, traditional motifs and contemporary fashion sensibilities. - Tamish Aswani, cofounder of Ageless Galaxy

Style

Five questions for modest fashion influencer Mega Iskanti

As the holy month of Ramadan moves into full swing, Indonesia’s flair for modest fashion also rears its elegant head. With Lebaran only two weeks away, it’s probably time to raid the closet, scour the malls and scroll the web stores to look your best before meeting the entire extended family.

Pawrenting

Five-star staycations for your furry friends

As we get ready to pack our cars and head for picturesque hills and seaside towns for the upcoming holidays, make sure that your furry children are taken care of in the city.

Family Matters

How to navigate unwanted questions and survive family gatherings

Ah yes, Ramadan is that beautiful time of year when families, both near and far, flock to each other’s homes to share cherished meals and conversations. Yet, for some younger members, an unwelcome part of the experience is the onslaught of well-meaning but intrusive questions from relatives.

Family Matters

The ‘bukber’ tradition: Holy rites, warmth and unwanted questions

Ramadan brings the warmth of bukber, or breaking the fast together with family and friends, offering both newfound perspectives and unexpected discussions.

Weekend Five

Five things to know before booking an iftar gathering

Well, it’s that time of the year again; meaning, it’s time to start booking slots for breaking the fast at your favorite haunts in town while praying furiously for the traffic and/or weather to be merciful on the day, until you’re forced to settle for bottled water and supermarket bread on the road as the sun sets.

Family Matters

On politics and relationships

“Let’s be honest, when it comes to politics, no one’s going to change their mind if they don’t want to.” - Marsha, 29“We choose because it is our right but I won’t necessarily ‘fight to the death’ for my candidate.” - Kyriesa, 63

Weekend Five

Elevate your date night

Just because Valentine’s Day has come and gone, it doesn’t mean showering your special someone with romance should stop. In a world where grand gestures that elicit social media praises are expected, flower arrangements, specialized candy and the occasional sweet movie nights are so passé, so what’s a romantic to do?