A Ladylike Sensibility

Being true to yourself is Astrie Sunindar-Ratner’s secret to being comfortable and confident.

- DEBBY KWONG

She counts Dior, Emilia Wickstead and Valentino among her favourite brands, so you can probably picture Astrie Sunindar-Ratner’s style. The founder of A – The Etiquette Consultancy and #HerWorldTribe member loves her romantic and feminine outfits that are elegant, refined and chic.

“I experimented with some fashion trends in my youth, but I don’t think I ever went over-the-top crazy. I have always leaned towards a classic, timeless style, and I have a good understanding of what looks good on me,” says the 40-year-old. One way she has fun with fashion is by playing with seasonal colours, but always in her classic style.

“My parents taught me everything I know about style. My late father had incredible taste. Although he was short, he knew what looked good on him and how to accentuate his best features. He taught me the importance of self-awareness, to accept oneself and how to be comfortable in your own skin no matter what. My mother taught me that it’s all about quality over quantity, and that looking polished and put-together is a must,” she shares.

Having a positive influence on others is something Astrie is passionate about, as she loves to share her love for good manners with others, especially children. She launched her etiquette consultancy in 2020 and is currently working on a book on Javanese etiquette. “I am who I am today because of my upbringing, and I want to share with the world the beautiful traditions and customs of Java, where I’m originally from.