Glancing at the price tags on the exquisite gowns and suits displayed in upmarket boutiques can be depressing, though perhaps not for affluent society women.

Indonesia may have more than its share of economic problems, but the high fashion business seems to remain profitable.

Even though the creations of famous designers sell for millions of rupiah, some people are able to enjoy themselves at whatever level of expense they choose.

Biyan Wanaatmadja is a market leader in Indonesia's high fashion industry. The dresses at his store in Plaza Senayan, South Jakarta, can go for more than 10 million rupiah (around US$1,000) each.

"We usually clear half of our stock within a month," Boyke, Biyan's assistant said, adding that Biyan had about 1,000 dresses ready for sale each month.

"Our clients like to be different from other people. They are sophisticated people."

Another designer, Ronald V Gahgana, displayed his, a Muslim clothing line, in Plaza Indonesia, Central Jakarta, in early October. His designs cost from 850,000 rupiah (less than $100) to 3 million rupiah a piece and Ronald had no trouble selling his clothes.

"This year, I sold 1,000 pieces of clothing in my three boutiques in Jakarta," he said.

He added that Indonesia is a good market for Muslim clothing. He combines silk, velvet, linen, cotton and chiffon with embroidery, beads and colored stones. His recent collection is dominated with soft colors like white, dusty pink and pale blue.

For the rich people buying designer clothes, the prices are appropriate for many reasons.

Arzetti Bilbina, a well-known Indonesian model, is a big fan of Biyan.

"I think it's OK to buy one or two expensive evening gowns. Besides the fact that they are made from long-lasting fabric, they make me feel beautiful," she said.

"I love simple, beautiful and feminine gowns that suit me." Arzetti said she had something from almost all the big Indonesian designers in her collection, including dresses she had received as gifts.

"When I got married Biyan gave me a gown that I love so much. I still keep it along with the box," said the 33-year-old woman who was married in 2004.

Happy Salma, 27, an Indonesian celebrity, would not hesitate to spend millions of rupiah on a kebaya (traditional Indonesian blouse).

"Although the clothes are very pricey, I will still buy them because they have one-of-a-kind fabric and the cut is nice and the seams neat. And I also think that they are difficult to make because they all handmade," she said.

"Even if there is a bling element to the designs, it is not overwhelming, and I still look elegant," she added.

But Happy prefers young designers because of their readiness to talk to her. "I like buying clothes from young designers because I feel like I can talk to them about the designs that I want," Happy said.

Maudy Koesnaedi, a former Miss Jakarta, says that she is not really a high fashion enthusiast. The 32-year-old TV presenter said that her taste is more casual, but she admits that having designer clothes is a must for her work, which often includes emcee gigs for classy events.

"If the occasion calls for it, I will buy some designers items, because I don't want to be the only person not wearing them," she said.

Unlike Happy and some other fashionistas who buy their pricey clothes straight from the boutiques, others like Maudy prefer to have them specially made to suit their taste.

Young designer Rudy Chandra who sells his gowns by taking orders from his home office is always busy even though his gowns are priced between 6 million rupiah and 8 million rupiah. ($655 to $872)?

During Ramadan, fashion designers experienced an increase in demand as many people wanted to impress their friends and relatives with their chic and trendy outfits.

According to Rudy, the main problem he and many other Indonesian designers face today is a lack of skilled workers.

"The common case for Indonesian designers is scoring a huge order for a design, and not having the capacity to fulfill that order," Rudy said. "Which is too bad because I believe Indonesia's designers have the potential to be fashion trendsetters."