#PrestigeItBags Featuring Noi Aswari

“To be honest, I’m more of a shoe person. But I do like to match bags with shoes,” Noi Aswari informs us as she arrives at Klots in Kemang for Prestige’s it bags shoot. We selected a number of the season’s best designs for her to model.

“My first bag was a Chanel, in fuchsia lambskin,” Noi says as she begins posing. “It was a limited edition for Valentine’s Day, and I got it as my high school graduation gift. It’s certainly been the most memorable bag in my life.”

The gorgeous beauty and fashion enthusiast, who studied at Trisakti University, Jakarta, has a wry sense of humour, describing herself on Instagram as “part-time dentist, full-time dreamer”. She’s a big fan of the Mini Lady Dior. “I think it really represents me right now, since I’m a petite woman and, again, I like a little twist,” she explains.

“I think women around my age are more into the medium to small-size bags these days because of their simplicity and efficiency. You can easily carry around a few essentials like your phone, wallet, powder and lipstick. A small bag gives us freedom to move. The other ones I go for are the timeless styles, like the Valentino bags with their iconic studs.”

Noi shows up for the shoot with an item she borrowed from her mom, a Fendi Peekaboo studded, floral-embroidered leather satchel from the 2017 Resort Collection. “This one belongs to my mom,” she admits with a giggle. “Now, she really is a bag person. I might borrow one from her when I have to carry more stuff to work, like books and stationery, a water bottle and food, a makeup pouch, sunglasses.”

Wearing a white blouse and pants and sporting a short haircut, Noi looks feminine and edgy. She is quite possibly the most glamorous dentist on the planet. “I’m working on opening Tawa Dental Studio in Pondok Indah, together with three friends who are also dentists,” she tells us.

Knowing that many people are afraid to visit a dentist, Noi chose the name Tawa, which means “laugh” in Bahasa Indonesia, to help put clients at ease. She wants them to know that it is possible to go to the dentist’s and come out smiling.

“This is a joint-venture clinic with US dentists who have worked in Singapore for more than nine years and have opened seven branches, including Australia and Cambodia,” Noi adds. “When they decided to come to Indonesia, we become their partners.

“I see a dental clinic nowadays as more like an aesthetic clinic. People don’t just go for the sake of their health, but to improve their appearance. It’s so important to look after your teeth because they have such a big impact on your body’s health and also on how good you look.”

Noi says she grew up idolising her mother. “I liked to try everything in her closet, from scarves, bags and clothes to makeup. She is also a fashion enthusiast, and I pretty much look up at her. I also have a sister, and the three of us literally share a lot of stuff and go shopping together.”

She describes her style as feminine, while “having twist in it that is quite difficult to describe. I love a little bit of femininity in everything, but it should have an edgy touch – sexy, but not too sexy. Olivia Palermo influenced the way I dress up.

“Something versatile also captivates my interest, like the designs of Sapto Djojokartiko. He’s a brilliant guy. Everything is hand-drawn until the lace part. His stuff is not just clothes but a piece of artwork.” Noi enjoys the shoot, never tiring as she switches from one bag to another. “I do photo shoots for fun, since I like to be photographed,” she grins. “But I also spend a lot of time with loved ones, family, friends and my fiancé. I take singing courses and I’m planning to join a cookery course. I want to cook something simple but tasty.

“I just came back from Raja Ampat, that’s my best destination so far this year. I lived in the boat, did diving for the first time, saw sunrises and sunsets, did a lot of watersports and hiking. It was great to spend quality time with friends and be away from the internet life for a while. I found out that it’s really good to remember your true soul.”

FULL PHOTO CREDITS:

PHOTOGRAPHED BY HARIONO HALIM

STYLED BY PAUL DELA MERCED

SHOT ON LOCATION:

KLOTS HOME FURNISHING

KEMANG TIMUR NO. 48, SOUTH JAKARTA 12730

PHONE: (62 21) 7179 1827

KLOTS.COM

MAKE UP: DAVE RIO (62 813) 1715 1500

HAIR: YATI (62 812) 8254 6237

STYLING ASSISTANTS: LINTANG HUTAMI
& jerdi anarchi

COACH IS IN PLAZA INDONESIA
& GRAND INDONESIA

DIOR IS IN PLAZA INDONESIA & PLAZA SENAYAN

FENDI IS IN PLAZA INDONESIA