MR. & MRS. HAUW SANTOSA

Crystal Clear Dreams

Hauw Santosa dreamed of bringing the beauty of Versailles to Indonesia. As he was attending university in Delft, Holland, Hauw had the opportunity to explore European cities and landmarks. The mesmerizing beauty of the Versailles Palace and other architectural marvels in Milan, Prague, and Paris left an unforgettable imprint in Hauw’s heart, sparking his passion for the renaissance architecture and design.

Hauw noticed that all European palaces have one thing in common, extravagant chandeliers made of crystal hanging from the ceilings. Historically, these sparkling crystal chandeliers are the epitome of beauty, elegance, and luxury. Inspired by these intricate works of art and what the culture they represent, Hauw returned to Indonesia with one goal in mind, to spread the beauty of crystal chandeliers at home, Indonesia.

Hauw’s entrepreneurial spirit was evident from a very young age. Growing up in a working-class family, he displayed a keen interest in business and an insatiable curiosity for global trends. His unwavering determination and relentless pursuit of his dreams propelled him towards a path of success. While attending university, he would work multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet.

At one point, he worked as an Indonesian food importer that supplied Indonesian goods to the Indonesian embassies in Holland, Germany, and the Czech Republic. As payment, Hauw accepted a unique currency “Bohemian Crystal” instead of dollar or Czech Chrone. Hauw would then hand-carry these Bohemian Crystal ornaments and chandeliers back home to Indonesia where eager customers are waiting.

Who knew at the time that this small business would turn into his biggest blessing.

From there, his crystal clear path to success continued as the demand for more Bohemian crystal skyrocketed among the Indonesian elite. Hauw assisted private buyers from Indonesia in purchasing crystal in the Czech Republic, before eventually spreading his network to become the exclusive agent for Indonesia. During his early days, a notable mentor of Hauw was one Dr. František Arnošt, a world-renowned crystal expert and government advisor for the crystal industry in the Czech Republic. Through his mentorship with Dr. Arnošt, Hauw gained an unparalleled level of expertise about the crystal industry. He also acquired knowledge directly from the most famous crystal company in the world, Swarovski in Austria. Hauw has traveled over 70 times, back and forth, to and from the Czech Republic up until 2009.

With a clear vision in mind, Hauw Santosa founded Plaza Crystal International, a renowned one stop galery for crystal, furniture & design, conglomerate known for its unmatched quality, variety, and lavish shopping experience.

Kempinski Jakarta was one of his first Hotel Project and follow after with others hundreds of Luxury hotels in Indonesia and other countries : InterContinental, Four Seasons, The St. Regis, Rafles, Marriott and many others.

Hauw’s unwavering commitment to excellence quickly established Plaza Crystal as a market-leader in the global crystal, furniture and design industry. Currently, Plaza Crystal has been operating for over 28 years. The showroom in prime Sudirman area is conveniently located in the heart of Jakarta, encompasses 10 stories, 10,000 m2 with a collection of more than 3,000 crystal chandelirs. Plaza Crystal has since expanded their fleet of products and now not only supplies crystals, but also features high-end living concepts from furniture, interior design services, and high-tech LED lighting. One of the key factors that set Hauw Santosa apart is his focus on creating unforgettable shopping experiences. Through meticulous attention to detail and an acute understanding of customer preferences, Hauw has transformed traditional shopping centers into vibrant hubs of activity, where shoppers can immerse themselves in a world of luxury, fashion, and culture.

Hauw however, did not achieve all this success by himself. As they all say, beside every great man, is an extraordinary woman. This woman was Mrs. Julianti Santosa, the love of his life and business partner, who leads an import export logistics firm. Together, they embarked on a remarkable journey, traversing the vibrant cities of Paris, Milan, and Prague, showcasing their exquisite crystal collections through prestigious exhibitions.

These formative experiences laid the foundation for their future empire. Even with their busy schedule, family remains the center of their life. Their three children, Fidela, Samantha, and Joshua are an integral part of the family business, accompanying them to exhibitions and immersing themselves in the world of luxury. The children’s early exposure to Plaza Crystal fostered a deep connection and familiarity with the business.

As the children grew up, Plaza Crystal became their playground. Hauw looks back on the time the kids would spend countless of hours exploring the grand halls, experiencing the enchantment of crystals, and even falling asleep amidst the sparkling beauty. These cherished memories forged a unique bond with the family business.

The first born, Fidela Santosa, inspired by the splendour of Plaza Crystal, pursued a career in interior design. Drawing on their innate creativity and knowledge of crystals, Fidela, now actively contributes to the family business as Director of Projects, infusing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.

Hauw Santosa amidst this lifestyle of glamor still puts importance to health. He instills healthy habits such as morning walks with his friends three times a week at Gelora Bung Karno. On a typical day, he tends to work duties at Plaza Crystal and carries out prospective meetings for various projects. His hobby includes his favorite sport, Badminton, and has even had the chance to play in Holland and won some tournaments. He takes pride in his simple life which continues to make him happy and youthful.

Hauw Santosa has five life mottos he lives by: he only does things he can do best, only focus on things he loves the most, on things that make him a better person, only cares things that can be a blessing to others, and things that create a positive output or profit in business.

Hauw Santosa’s journey from a budding entrepreneur to the owner of Plaza Crystal International is a testament to his dedication, innovative mindset, and drive for creating exceptional experiences. Through his visionary leadership and the exceptional unwavering support from his wife, Julianti Santosa and his three children, son in law Jovan and grandsons Jaden and Dylan.

Hauw has not only transformed the retail industry but also inspired a new generation of entrepreneurs to dream big and make a lasting impact. As Plaza Crystal International continues to redefine the legacy, Hauw Santosa’s name will forever be synonymous with excellence, luxury, and unparalleled customer satisfaction.

Cover : Mr. Hauw Santosa and Mrs. Julianti Santosa

Photographer : Agus Santoso Yang (M. +62 878 5560 8055)

Retoucher : Topher Kopher

Stylist : Caroline Meliala (M. +62 821 2383 1708)

MUA : Oscar Daniel (M. +62 877 8893 7399)

Hairdo : @droz.studiomakeup

Timepieces : Roger Dubuis, Plaza Indonesia, Jakarta. (Tel. +62 21 310 7715)

Wardrobe : Valentino, Plaza Indonesia, Jakarta. (Tel. +62 21 2992 1970)

Ermenegildo Zegna, Plaza Indonesia, Jakarta. (Tel. +62 21 2992 3958)

Hian Tjen, Jl. Pluit Timur Raya No. 20D, Jakarta. (M. +62 812 9150 0900)

ENIJOE, (M. +62 822 8888 9887)

Jewellery : Agnes’ Jewelry, Jakarta. (Tel. +62 21 3192 8035 )

Location : Plaza Crystal International

Jl. K.H. Mas Mansyur No.kav 46, Jakarta Pusat

(M. +62 859 5968 3133)