Lunchie Munchie

So happy to be making new friendssss! Thank you for the lunch, Sofia and Martina! :)

My Most Precious :)

Fast Fashion: Make It Stop

After being an entrepreneur for 8 years, here’s one important thing I have learned; you don’t have to be big, but you have to be meaningful. It’s interesting, because everyone who decides to become an entrepreneur will usually dream to one day become as big as possible. “Scale up, scale up, scale up”. That’s what I thought and aimed for too, but it all changed after having myself exposed to new things that inspired me more. It all first started when I got interviewed by a startup investment company a few years ago, and upon our discussion, she told me that my dream was too small. I remember leaving the meeting room feeling really strange thinking about why she said what she said. I didn’t really know the answer at that time, but the thoughts continued to linger. Today, I understand fully and am very proud about it. I am proud because when I was offered to scale up my business, I did not want to. It just did not resonate with me. The idea of having a mass shoe brand that can be available in every shopping center was definitely tempting and sounded “really successful”, but I discovered that I was and am looking for something more than just scale and financial success. Perhaps because I’m not a businessman-entrepreneur, but more of an artist-entrepreneur. I am not obsessed with catering to what the market wants. I choose to design from my heart, design what connects to me personally, sell to people who share the same taste with me, and make the whole process meaningful. I take more pride in having an “indie brand” rather than a mass brand. Sometimes, keeping your brand small(er) allows you to sustain your brand values better too, because you are not under pressure to reach crazy sales target and end up in unnecessary price war. I want my customers to buy my idea, my original design, not buy something simply because it’s cheap and it looks like that piece you just saw on the runway.

In addition to all this, I have also learned how “fast fashion” is really, really bad. Brands like Zara, H&M, Fashion Nova, they are like heaven for trendy shoppers because in these shops, you can find so many new items every week at an affordable price with designs that really make you look always up-to-date. But have you seen Zara sale outlets that sell their past-season items? Even after 80% discounts, there are still A LOT of items remaining. Imagine this pile of discounted items in one store, happening in different cities, then in different countries. That’s A LOT of clothes that eventually when not sold, become waste and end up in the landfill. That’s just one source. Excess fabrics and production rejects from the factories, they also end up in the landfill. Clothes that we no longer wear and sometimes throw away because they look ‘too used’ to donate? They end up in the landfill too. That’s three major sources of clothes that become waste. That is A LOT of waste. Just like plastic, clothes are harmful for the environment too because a lot of fabrics contains chemicals that hurt the earth.

The solution? Buy clothes that you really love, that you will wear often, that “sparks joy”, and comes from companies that care better about the true essence of “style” and also the environment. Fast-fashion brands are crazy about 'speed' so that they can keep up with trend demands, and when you talk about speed, that means one thing too: they probably employ their workers to work day and night, to work long long hours and fast fast fast. It’s torture. And that so-called affordable price? It can only happen from lowering down the production cost by 1) paying their workers less, and 2) using cheap fabrics. Are we really gonna ignore this?

Buy local, buy from small entrepreneurs who really put value into their design and production processes. Buy original designs, not a rip-off or a knock-off. Appreciate the “idea” behind the things we buy. And appreciate that ideas have a price and those prices cannot always be “cheap”. A piece of clothing is a piece of artwork too. Learn to save up to buy quality rather than quantity. Lastly, learn to know your real style and not be obsessed with only following the trend. Learn to mix and match the things you already have so you can keep rewearing your items in different, exciting ways. Buy vintage, there’s nothing gross about it. 

All in all, give value to fashion. Give value to the clothes you wear, and when you wear them, wear them proud because you know they are representing something good.

To entrepreneurs: Know the kind of entrepreneur you want to be. You can seek for advice from coaches and investors but don’t let them steer you into becoming someone or something that does not feel right to you. Know where you stand and don’t let numbers blind you. Dream big, but in your own definition of “big”.

To consumers: Know that your fashion choices have a significant impact to a lot of people and also our earth too. Be mindful.

Oh Hubby

I can never attend any parents meeting with my hubby like normal adults. During the meeting, we would always look at each other and somehow share a joke just with our eyes, and then we both look down or look at the window covering our mouths because we both are holding our laughters. Then the teacher would look at us both and ask, "are you okay" and I would then say, "I'm sorry, I just new a few seconds to laugh". Then we both laugh in tears and the teacher would eventually laugh too and the whole meeting just becomes a joke because none of us can keep a straight face. HAPPENS. EVERY. MONTH. Such odd parents.

:D

Tadaaaaa! My Parents Have Two Daughters!

My parents finally came here to Switzerland to see their very own daughter's wax figurine woohooooooo! Such a proud moment and I am truly grateful they get to witness this. Thank you, Allah! :)

1 More Week OMG!

When my husband told me that we had to move to Switzerland because of his job, my world fell apart. I felt lost, upset, angry and forced. At that time, I was pregnant and I had just started my new SCHMILEYMO business. All of a sudden, my future felt foggy. How do I do this? How do I work things out? What will happen to my businesses? What about our house? A lot of questions were running inside my head, forced to have all the answers sorted out in just 2 months before we actually had to leave. I honestly felt life was unfair. But one day, I got up from my bed, walked to my husband, and I told him exactly this; “you know what, let’s do this. I’m ready. If I am that great person I vision myself to be, I should be able to survive anywhere I go. I’ll be fine. And you know what? I’ll make sure that I leave a mark in every country we live in”. Interesting. To “leave a mark” is what I said without having any clue what I actually meant, and here I am today, receiving the official brochure from the museum in St. Gallen, Switzerland about the new exhibition opening next week featuring my very own life-size statue. I mean, what is a greater mark than a statue? Am I dreaming? Oh my God. Shivers. It’s true what they say, every word is a prayer. Wow. ❤️

Family Pic (Finally!)

We never do this but I think it's about time we have a proper family pic..:D

Slowly Coming Together

Decorating our new apartment in Switzerland is rather slow because everything (especially furniture) here is so expensive..:D Nevertheless, I love how everything is coming together. I aim to make it a fun jungalow home! :)

Goodbye, 2018.

Can’t believe it’s the last day of 2018 already. Wow. So what happened in 2018?

I walked a lot.

I ran a lot.

I ran with a toddler a lot.

I ran with a stroller a lot.

I ran with a stroller and a toddler a lot.

I became a sleep-deprived heavyweight multi-tasking woman who just ended up wanting to sleep during NYE 😂.

But on a more serious note...

I traveled to KL, Dubai, Barcelona, Provence, Sisteron, Torino, Amsterdam, Brussels, Lyon and many cities within Switzerland.

My business finally entered the US market by having UP available at Bando.

I launched a new SCHMILEYMO line for kids; SCHMILEYMO Kids.

Surprisingly, I was featured on both SRF and DW TV “Euromaxx” show ~ my first ever international television debut.

Showcased SCHMILEYMO in Dubai.

Did a fashion show for SCHMILEYMO in both Torino Fashion Week and Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week 2018.

Published my new children’s story book series; My Rainbow Days.

Won an award from Perempuan Bintang Awards 2018 for ‘Best Small and Medium-sized Enterprise’.

Moved in to a new beautiful apartment in Switzerland.

Decided to work on #88LOVELIFE Vol.04.

Finally did for the first time in my life: ice skating on real ice, toboganning, eat raw sushi, traveled to different cities by train alone.

Getting a life-sized statue made after me to be displayed in HVM St. Gallen museum.

In 2018, I also lost a very good friend who I hope now is resting well in heaven. Widya, you will be missed, always and forever. You will always be my inspiration, my mentor, a friend I really look up to. I love you.

In 2018, I also lost a best friend who decided to not be in touch with me anymore because she needs her own time to figure out her own life without me in it and I respect that. I will always wait for you to finally accept my calls again so we can chat 24/7 about movies, Hollywood celeb news and other nonsensical stuff like how we used to. I miss you and I love you.

2018 is so crazy and with all the happiness and sadness in it, I am grateful for everything that happened. Year after year, I am also more grateful for having S in my life. You deserve the #BestHusband award. ❤️

Happy 34 To Me

It's my birthday today, but somehow it just feels like any other day, nothing special. A lot has been going on lately that perhaps celebrating myself getting older was the least in my mind to think about. My gift to myself? Just dress up and feel good, that's all. I guess the older we get, the more disappointed we are towards a lot of things. As we become older, not only do we get wiser, but we also become more aware of the wrong things happening around us and they upset us so much. It's like the curse of knowing more. It's a beautiful irony. But then our wisdom is what helps us stay sane. Happy birthday, Diana.

Zara top, Topshop pants, Staud bag

My Rainbow Days Book Launch

Sooooo grateful to have officially launched My Rainbow Days book series yesterday. This book series is so close to my heart because it carries such great messages for both children and parents and I really hope these books can be of great value in many homes, libraries and schools...:)

Thank you Wastana Haikal for being such an awesome partner and making my dreams come true through your magical hands, thank you Mbak Putri and Falcon Publishing for believing in me, thank you Mbak Lia for being a wonderful MC, thank you Puty for joining me in sharing your thoughts about parenting life, thank you Nia and Bie for your special storytelling performance, thank you Buumi Playscape for providing us the lovely venue, and thank you Hoppipolla Party Planner for decorating our event with so many rainbows. Last but not least, thank you to my friends and media friends who all came and showed their love. 🌈❤️🌟

Featured: Good Afternoon NET TV

Thank You Thank You Thank You

2018 has been one of the toughest years in my life, so many ups and downs, but I always remember my dad’s advice; “hidup itu harus semangat” ~ to always live life with full enthusiasm and excitement. So that’s what I do everyday. I live each day like it’s my last, giving my best to each day and each opportunity I am blessed with.

I just won this award tonight for being the “best” in the small and medium-sized enterprise category in Indonesia (I love you, UP and SCHMILEYMO!) but I look at the trophy and think to myself how is it that I can be the best if there are so many other entrepreneurs out there who are better, bigger, more profitable and probably work way harder. I don’t know the answer. All I know is that life is so kind to me and you all are so kind to be so loving and supportive towards my small steps. All I know is also this: to inspire people, it’s not necessarily about the result. As an entrepreneur, it’s not always about your sales volume, your revenue, how big your office space is, or how many shops you have opened. It’s about having that spirit, that “semangat” that is so contagious it makes other people also want to do something awesome in their own life. It’s about spreading the good kind of virus that moves other people in the right, happy direction. I hope I’m on track. Thank you, Perempuan Bintang Awards 2018.

A Love Letter To My Moonlight

Dear son,

I know our journey everyday to school is so tough especially for you. We take the bus, we take the train and we walk miles just to reach your school on a daily basis despite the weather that day. Regardless the heat, the rain, the freezing weather, the snow, from season to season, we do it all together with as much joy as possible. I know it is very tiring for you that you often fall asleep on the bus, and I would have to walk and carry you home even though you’re getting bigger and heavier day by day, and I would have backaches in the night. Your father has repeatedly offered me the easier way; to simply take the car and save so much hours for us. But I choose to wake ourselves up earlier and take the harder way. I do it because I love you. I do it because I want you to become a strong man. I want you to see the world, to feel alive, to be okay to sweat, to get soaked in rain, to just sit by the road eating biscuits together as you rest for a while. I do it because I want you to spend as much time on the streets and witness the many differences around us and be okay with it. I do it despite me often getting stares from people when you have your tantrums or put your feet on someone else’s lap and make them angry. I do it because all these little things, they will teach you. They will teach you in real life rather than theories found in books. You will see for yourself the cause and effect of doing things in public; what’s good, what’s bad, what’s proper, what’s rude. I do it because it is best for you, and whatever is best for you, is best for me. I just hope you will always remember our walks together and the silly songs I sing for you. You are my moonlight, the most beautiful one.

xoxo,
Mommy.

Ta Ta Tania and Ra Ra Rama

Another brunch-to-lunch-to-dessert date with my favorite peeps here in Lausanne..:)

Sister Jane dress, Play No More bag, Balenciaga sneakers

My Statue In The Making. WHAT!!??

This is probably one of the craziest things that have and will ever happen in my life, but but, to put it short, there will be A STATUE OF DIANA RIKASARI IN SWITZERLAND!! Being the only one chosen to represent Asia for my playful take on fashion, I will be made into a life-sized statue displayed in the “Spiel der Kulturen“ exhibition in the HVM St. Gallen museum starting February 2019 amongst other artworks, installations and artefacts. It's crazy really.

For the past couple of weeks, the team and I have been working together in creating this statue where they measure every single part of my body, define my skin tone etc., whereas I develop the styling of the clothes the statue will be wearing. It will be wearing my actual personal clothes too, so it’s gonna be truly 100% me. So, if you’re planning to visit Europe next year, perhaps include this museum in your itinerary and take a photo with my statue later? :)

Indonesia, this is for you.

Amsterdam & Brussels

So happy to have 2 more countries ticked off our Europe must-visit countries list yayyyyyyy! This time we drove all the way to Amsterdam, Netherlands and Brussels, Belgium. Kudos to my hubby S who drove sooo loooonggg I love you so much, sayang! :)

Highlights:

• Amsterdam is so artsy, has soooo many art museums and galleries everywhere.
• I love the entrepreneurial vibes in Amsterdam.
• In Amsterdam, seems like the rights of a cyclist is higher than of a pedestrian's. They won't stop for you!
• Also in Amsterdam, I didn't see any pedestrian crossing (weird?). So if you want to cross a city street, you just wait for a gap in traffic.
• I love the fact that fries are served everywhere with so many kinds of toppings. They even have fries with peanut sauce topping! I love fries. Where there are fries, there is Diana. Fries for life.
• Meanwhile, the hot waffles at Waffle Factory, Brussels is sooooo good. Crunchy outside, soft inside, a bit sweet, just perfect. Order it with Belgian Dark Chocolate topping!

Hi, High Tea!

Took the train to Basel to make new friends with this cool bunch; Gerold, Jacqueline, Marc, Romanos and my one and only Sarah. And we played dress up in Jacqueline Lokito's clothes! :)

The Heart Speaks

I haven't been able to write anything because truthfully, mentally I am not in the right space. I hate writing when my mind is misplaced, having bits and pieces of them here and there, taken over by feelings that are just as messy. Life has been great when we talk about all the opportunities I keep on getting from Allah, but it doesn't mean that on a daily level, it's all smooth between everyone around me. I am angry, disappointed, upset, and confused at certain people. My relationship with my parent-in-laws has been becoming weirder day by day. A best friend with no explanation suddenly just decided to cut ties with me. Some family members just love taking the idea of "family" for granted. I am angry at all these. But I'm not angry at life.

I keep reminding myself that the people in my life cannot determine how my life becomes. I cannot be angry at my life. I can be angry at the people who disappoint me, but I still want to enjoy my life, and I do. I still sing when I am pushing Daria in the stroller. I still hold hands and hop like a bunny when I'm walking with Shahmeer. I still jump on S when he's on the bed because goofy-love is the best kind of love. And at the same time, I can be realistic that my heart is not in a perfect shape and I just have to continue living with it. I can try fixing it. but if it doesn't work, I can leave it broken. 

Prepared For Rainy Days

Back in Switzerland, furniture shopping for our new apartment. Life is moving so fast with so many things going on it frightens me sometimes. But let's do this! :)

Up sweater, Schmiley Mo pants, Moschino bag, Current Mood shoes