Indonesia’s Mega

Female socialites in Indonesia carry some of the trendiest and most expensive handbags around. They especially love to indulge in luxury clothing brands such as Hermes, Chanel and Louis Vuitton. Dini Indri Chief executive of butterfly republic reveals bags in her store are regularly purchased with prices ranging from $1,000 to $50,000.  Dini also says, “A branded bag is not simply a luxury item for these women, it’s a status symbol.” 

This statement can be perceived to be one of wealthy Indonesian women having a derogatory outlook on the social existence of people much less wealthy than themselves. But to a large extent this isn’t actually true.  A recent charity gala held in a flashy mall in Jakarta is an example of this concerned outlook by the wealthy, for people much less fortunate than themselves. This particular charity evening was one to entertain hundreds of orphaned kids in the country and is one of many fundraisers that these wealthy people in Indonesia put on to raise money for the poor in their country.

These occasions really emphasise how fashion brings enjoyment to people and can collaborate people together with the aim of an outcome that benefits everyone involved and this gala in Jakarta is a great example of this.

To put the wealth disparities into perspective two thirds of Indonesian people live on $2 a day which is perilously close to the poverty line. Jakarta the capital is also home to hundreds of slums. The cheapest bag in Dinis shop would be the same price as people pay for rent per year in some areas of Indonesia, highlighting the importance of the fashionable Galas held in Indonesia to help the less privileged.

By Freddie Anderson