Lined up against the shell of a Boeing-747 airplane sit six Chevrolet BelAirs made from 1955 to 1958 in yellow, blue, gold, red and aquamarine. They are just a few polished and precious automobiles in Hartawan (“Hauwke”) Setjodiningrat's extensive collection.

And the plane? That was just “simply” acquired from a friend.

Sitting in Hauwke's backyard there's absolutely no evidence that we are still in South Jakarta. On one side is a bright-red 1955 Ford Thunderbird, on the other a roofless French Loraint Dietric Touring vehicle from 1908, Enya plays over the jukebox, and standing two stories high and adjacent is a purpose-built garage dubbed Mel's Diner with a Texaco gas station out the front.

“I've built this because I want to share what I have,” explains Hauwke of this place he calls Hauwke's Auto Gallery. “This here is history and people should be able to see it. These aren't just cars, they’re antiques.”

Japanese car marque Subaru has always enjoyed niche status among a select group of discerning clients. “It is a unique brand with very special cars,” says Glenn Tan, president director of TC Subaru, which has been the sole importer and distributor of the vehicles in Indonesia since 2004.

Tan reports that sales stalled briefly as the economic crisis engulfed world markets in 2008. As the economy bounces back, interest and take-up rate have been picking up, and the potential of the market has not escaped Tan. To satiate Indonesians’ thirst for premium, high-performance automobiles, Tan has big plans for Subaru’s presence here.

Chief among these are development plans across the archipelago, which have been in the works for some time. To complement the Subaru headquarters in Jakarta, a new branch is slated to open in Batam within the next two months, followed by Bali by the end of the year. “We are also in discussions to appoint dealers in Pekanbaru, Surabaya and several other cities,” adds Tan.

He says: “Indonesia is a big market, and different parts of the country are seeing demands for different kinds of cars. Along with China, we see great potential here and are aiming to expand significantly in the near future.”

For a generation of Indonesian women, Dian Muljadi has been a guiding light. Through her magazines, such as Elle Indonesia, Elle Decoration Indonesia, Marie Claire Indonesia and Girl Friend Indonesia, she has shaped the attitudes, forged tastes and influenced the dressing of women of all ages.

In essence, Dian has played a central role in introducing global taste, fashion and international culture to Indonesia. Today’s highly confident, stylish and urban Indonesian women have her to thank.

In her own words, today’s Indonesian woman is remarkable for having the ability to juggle multiple roles and even cultures. “We are a nation steeped in culture with a strong religious background. Indonesian women are unique in our ability to conventional Eastern value with the practicality and sassiness of the modern age.”

“Indonesian women are capable of growing into international citizens with our feet, or should I say our heels, planted firmly on the ground.”

Even after having spent more than two decades in publishing, Dian has not lost her charm or drive. Since leaving the MRA Group, she has established Trinaya Media, where she continues to do what she was probably destined for.