Samantha Wijaya is not your average 25-year-old. The mother of two is taking on the fast-moving beauty industry,one lipstick at a time.
SAMANTHA WIJAYA is two hours late for our interview. Held back by flight delays — the bane of all jet-setters — she finally arrives, a vision of casual-chic in skinny black jeans and a floral top, matched with the iconoclastic fur-soled Gucci loafers and an alligator skin Hermès Lindy handbag. In between her effusive apologies, I learn she has not only flown in to Singapore (with her two young daughters and a nanny in tow) especially for this interview, but is also booked on the evening flight to Jakarta right after. At this point, all is forgiven.
Born and raised in Jakarta, the 25-year-old fashion and textile retailing graduate from the University of Manchester considers Singapore as her second home. Having lived here briefly when she was pursuing a postgraduate degree at the Singapore Management University, many of her closest friends are also based in the city-state.
These days, she visits at least once a month for her children’s paediatric check-ups, to shop, or get her tresses trimmed by celebrity hairstylist David Gan. Her family’s hairstylist since she was a child, Gan now tends to her daughters’ hair as well.
The second of three daughters born to businessman Yongky Wijaya and homemaker Theresia Wijaya, she was 22 when she married her husband Kevin Soesilo. He was a friend of the family and the pair dated briefly before the smitten Soesilo popped the question when they were on holiday in Bali. “It was crazy! We got engaged and then married two months after the engagement. I prayed for signs of chaos if things weren’t meant to be but everything happened so beautifully,” she reminisces.
Denne historien er fra December 2016-utgaven av Prestige Singapore.
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Denne historien er fra December 2016-utgaven av Prestige Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Double Take
Although somewhat dismissed by the contemporary art world as gimmicky, works that incorporate optical illusions remain immensely popular with the general public. Perhaps it speaks to our inherent need for something slightly magical in our everyday lives.
Plugged Into Wealth
Fintech advocate Carney Mak is bullish on disruptive technologies, but preaches deep understanding of business models before diving in.
Going for Green
SIMON ROGAN's visionary approach of cooking in tune with nature is inspiring chefs in Asia to be more sustainable.
TABLES TURNED
They could have their pick of the best schools, but more young super achievers from Asia are going to a hotel academy a choice they believe opens up more doors.
PRECIOUS HISTORY
Cleef Arpel TACHA VASSILTCHIKOV res her insights the jewellery house Peers preserving its patrimony and Heritage.
MARKS OF DISTINCTION
A clasp-free necklace that could be easily put on by the wearer, without assistance.
Colours of the Season
Thanks to K-pop stars, analysing colours to personalise make-up has surged, with theslategs service available from the boutique of Korean. brity make-up artist JUNG SAEM MOOL.
MAKING OF AN OPUS
In Hermes’ Barénia, in-house perfumer CHRISTINE NAGEL has realised a decade-long dream that harks back to her childhood stories.
Everywhere Care
Serums from homegrown skincare brand Blé de Fonty target more than just the face.
Pucker Up
Lip moisturisers are essential in Singapore’s air-conditioned environment. We share our personal favourites and introduce lip care that go the distance.