Cover Stars
We reveal the talented MUAs who have worked on Asiana’s front covers over the past 20 years…
20TH ANNIVERSARY – ASIANA WEDDING MAGAZINE – FRONT COVER
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Indiya Ahmed
STYLING: Zaf Shabbir
OUTFITS: Diya’s, Kajal’s Couture, Khushboo’s, Monga’s, Nicky Chana, RDC London, Sache, Silons, Sonas Couture
HAIR & MAKEUP: Dil Matharu, Jawaad Ashraf, Joggy Kang, Kara Makeup, Kanzah Beauty, Lubna Rafiq, Naveeda
JEWELLERY: Aartist Jewellery, Alif By Riz, Anees Malik, Jewellery By Mash, Jewels By Imaan, Kavira London, Nargis Collections, Sheikh Jewels
FLOWERS: Vallis UK
HENNA TATTOOS: Henna By Mevy
DECOR: Khaas Events
VENUE: Ariana Banqueting Hall
PHOTOGRAPHY: Santhosh J Reddy
Words by Momtaz Begum-Hossain
“I am where I am because of Asiana. It changed my life…”
– Lubna Rafi
When we invited seven legendary make-up artists to collaborate on the cover of the 20th anniversary edition of Asiana Wedding Magazine they all replied with the same sentiment. It’s the highest praise we could ask for and in return, it’s been an honour launching the career of the original influencers; the generation of make-up artists who defined Asian bridal beauty in the UK.
It’s hard to imagine, but when Asiana launched in 2004, Instagram didn’t exist and there were no YouTube tutorials to turn to for make-up advice. The only way to learn about Asian wedding planning was to pick up a copy of Asiana Wedding Magazine. Loved by women across the country, Asiana was, and still remains, the ultimate bridal bible. But while the practical planning like finding a venue and caterer was often the responsibility of a family member, the fashion and beauty choices lay in the hands of the bride.
It was the most important and personal decision she would need to make. Asiana made that process so much easier. Editor Indiya Ahmed was there from the beginning; though she was a toddler then. “I spent my childhood coming to Asiana photoshoots and learnt from the best in the business. One thing always struck me; how the MUA’s perfected timeless transformations. Asiana has always been at the forefront of setting beauty trends that never became outdated. Only master make-up artists can understand how glamorous looks can stay fresh and relevant and that’s the aesthetic we continue to champion today.”
In this issue we’re not only celebrating a 20-year reunion with these make-up maestros whose work has been featured on the cover of the magazine, but we’ve also brought back cover stars you’ll recognise; the original Asiana supermodels that graced the pages of the magazine. Of course, we had to dress them in the finest attire too, as Indiya enthuses: “To celebrate the creativity and camaraderie of these iconic MUAs and the models that defined Asiana, I turned to the most influential fashion and jewellery brands in the business, culminating in a photoshoot that captures the British Asian wedding industry at its finest.”
It’s a pivotal moment. 20 years ago, no one knew that social media would change the landscape of life to the extent that it has. In the last two decades the media has changed dramatically with so many publications closing down, so to be one of the first and remaining luxury wedding magazines in the UK is a huge privilege.
We hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane, catching up with Asiana’s most iconic brands; here’s to another 20 years of timeless transformations and make-up mastery.
“To celebrate the creativity and camaraderie of these iconic MUAs and the models that defined Asiana, I turned to the most influential fashion and jewellery brands in the business, culminating in a photoshoot that captures the British Asian wedding industry at its finest.”
Indiya Ahmed, Editor Asiana Wedding Magazine
Outfit: RDC London • Jewellery: Anees Malik
Dil Matharu
When Dil started out, he brought a fresh perspective to bridal make-up. That, coupled with his five-star service, has helped him to build a thriving career as an MUA
“Every cover shoot I did for Asiana has a story behind it. My first cover was in 2009 I remember it well as I just had surgery and two days after that surgery I was on the shoot. Most people would be at home recovering but for me, it was now or never, and I’m so pleased I went for it. It propelled me into the industry when I was a young MUA. Working with such an established brand meant I was associated with them and that brought me a lot of attention and huge number of bridal clients.
Back then glam, dewy make-up was popular so I created a classic look with that theme. I love it because it worked as a cover look for Asiana Wedding Magazine back in 2009 – but it would still work as a cover in 2025; that’s the beauty of timeless make-up.
“My favourite memories of working with Asiana was an international shoot in Italy. It sounded glamorous but we did back-to-back shoots including at night. Sometimes I’d have to do the make-up in the back of the car as we were in the middle of nowhere with no studio. But experiences like these set me up for my career. It taught me not to be scared. If I can work to those deadlines I can do anything – learning this at the beginning of my journey helped me so much.
For the 20th anniversary shoot I had the pleasure of creating two different looks. The first look is traditionally adorned with lots of jewellery. My second look is more high fashion with a sari. My model has naturally curly hair with a contemporary aesthetic which works well for Asian bridal shoots.
My signature style has moved with the times. The vibe and overall effect is the same but the techniques I use have changed thanks to product development. Especially finding colours for Asian skin tones. There’s more choice than there’s ever been. Thanks to Instagram brides feel much more comfortable being photographed. They now understand that make-up on their wedding day needs to be different to everyday make-up so they welcome having striking cheekbones and adding more contour to their faces to elevate their wedding portraits.
I remember the days before social media and the role Asiana played. Even before I became an MUA I would go to the newsagents and buy Asiana as it was the only source of information for high-end glamour. The hair and make-up inspired me and now I feel proud to have inspired so many other newcomers after me. It’s a great feeling to be working with the team again.”
“I remember the days before social media and the role Asiana played. Even before I became an MUA I would go to the newsagents and buy Asiana as it was the only source of information for high-end glamour.”
Dil Matharu
Outfit: Sonas Couture • Jewellery: Jewellery By Mash
Outfit: Diya’s • Jewellery: Nargis Collections
Jawaad Ashraf
With a beauty career spanning 24 years, Jawaad has done it all. From styling international beauty campaigns to working on movie sets and music videos; but it’s brides that continue to capture his passion
“Having my work on the cover of Asiana opened a lot of doors for me. I was one of the first South Asian men to work in the make-up industry – breaking stereotypes and paving the way for others. One of my first Asiana Magazine covers was a Marie Antoinette inspired shoot and it demonstrated my skills for adaptability and being fashion-forward.
In 2008 things blew up for me when I was the first MUA to create a look inspired by the Bollywood movie Jodha Akbar. At the time I couldn’t find jewellery designers who made such elaborate designs so I layered up the jewellery myself. Some people said it was too much but the look exploded and it continues to be one of the most requested bridal make-up looks 15 years on. The look I created for the latest cover demonstrates how my signature style has developed since those early days. I still enjoy creating high fashion beauty looks with tribal style jewellery – but there’s now even more drama!”
Outfit: Sache by Asif Malik • Jewellery: Alif By Riz
Outfit: Sache by Asif Malik • Jewellery: Alif By Riz
Kanzah Beauty
The queen of soft glamorous looks, Kanzah’s signature style is a hit with brides from all over the world who are all eager to experience her make-up magic
“After my first magazine cover for Asiana, my phone didn’t stop ringing! Working with the team has been such a boost for my career. I never expected that my work would be seen and appreciated by so many people. I received a lot of calls from brides who have seen my work in the magazine and then want to book me.
My signature style is soft glam. I’ve created that look for all my Asiana covers and for the 20th anniversary cover too. That’s what I’m known for, if brides want soft make-up they come to me!
My favourite cover look is one I created in 2018. We shot it at the beautiful home of jewellery designer Rubina Kapoor and the backdrop had a very majestic feel, so that inspired the look. I created a colourful fusion theme where the focal point was the blusher and defined cheeks, it’s a look that was popular then, but many brides still ask me for it now. I enjoy designing bridal hair too, especially creating volume as it makes the jewellery sit better and gives the overall look the wow factor.
Asiana has opened many doors for me. As well as doing cover shoots and make-up for campaigns I’ve had the chance to work on music videos, including Moonrise for Atif Aslam which features Amy Jackson. She was so kind and wonderful to work with and brought a lot of laughter to the set.
Photoshoot days are always fun and it was great to be working with the Asiana team for their 20th anniversary edition. I really enjoyed seeing my fellow artists at work too, everyone is so talented and supportive.
Many of my brides have asked me if I can teach them how to do make-up so another unexpected service I now provide is 1-2-1 tutorials. Some MUAs run courses but I prefer to teach in a more private environment as it means I can give each student my full attention. It can be brides that come to me or women who are passionate about beauty and may be considering becoming a MUA. I teach them everything I know but most importantly I encourage them to find their own signature look. That’s the most exciting part of make-up, all artists have a unique style and there is room for all of us.”
Outfit: Monga’s • Jewellery: Aartist Jewellery
Lubna Rafiq
With us from the beginning, Lubna has elevated bridal beauty standards in the UK with her dedication to the industry and original, creative flair
“I owe it all to Asiana. I’ve worked with them for 20 years and the impact that the magazine had on me was life-changing. When I decided to become an MUA I was a mum and I just wanted to do something part-time in the evenings and weekends. But the power of the magazine is that suddenly I had a full-time job and was working 10 days a week, due to the hours I was putting in – but it’s been worth it.
We’ve had so many good times including flying to Dubai to shoot a cover with Bollywood superstar Kareena Kapoor. I remember that day so well. The whole team sat down with her for a chat where she explained the type of beauty looks she liked. She was such a professional and she made the shoot so fun. It was a fast-paced day with lots of outfit changes but she had a sense of humour. I kept her signature brown eyes at her request and gave her gorgeous, tousled hair. She loved the looks so much that she booked me again when she was in London and it was an honour to have my work recognised in this way.
I created two looks for the 20th anniversary issue. Neither was planned. When you’ve got 20 years of experience you work with your intuition. I was led by my models, the outfit and jewellery to create two cover star bridal looks that also complemented the gorgeous backdrop.
In the early days, finding out your work would be on the cover was such a buzz. There was a lot of healthy competition between the MUAs but everyone was respectful that the best shoot would be on the cover. You didn’t know until the day before it went to print. You’d get a call to say the cover was yours and it was such an adrenalin rush.
I sometimes pinch myself and say I am where I am because of Sarwar and Sam. They changed my life. I’ve worked on shoots around the world, worked backstage at major fashion shows and helped create the most magical photoshoots. People don’t realise now with Instagram the amount of dedication that went into creating a magazine and the team behind it. They are the best of the best – the stylists, photographers, fashion houses, jewellery brands – they’re all experts but they’re also like a family. It’s a privilege to be part of it.”
We’ve had so many good times including flying to Dubai to shoot a cover with Bollywood superstar Kareena Kapoor.
Lubna Rafiq
Outfit: Silons • Jewellery: Aartist Jewellery
Outfit: Silons • Jewellery: Aartist Jewellery
Outfit: Nicky Chana Bridal Studio • Jewellery: Kavira London
Kara Makeup
From celebrity MUA to the CEO of a successful training academy, Kara MakeUp is an industry role model
“I thrive in fast-paced environments so sponsoring the Asiana Bridal Shows was the perfect opportunity to showcase my signature soft glam style aesthetic. My first Asiana Bridal Show was a career highlight, as I was invited to do the make-up for the catwalk debut of Faryal Makhdoom. It was such a great experience. The opportunity elevated her career while boosting mine.
My favourite aspect of working on Asiana covers was seeing everything come together. In 2016 I did a cover featuring Pakistani supermodel Mehreen Syed and it was a chance to showcase my work to an international audience. For this 2024 cover, I’ve stayed true to my signature style, but it now has a modern, contemporary feel. The hair is loose but luscious while the lips and eyes have a natural colour that’s alluring and beautiful.
Since that first cover, my business has grown beyond my dreams. Kara MakeUp Studio is the most respected training academy in the North-West where we’ve trained hundreds of students in hair and make-up. It makes me feel so proud to know they are out there beautifying a new generation of brides.”
Outfit: Kajal’s Couture • Jewellery: Jewels By Imaan
Outfit: Kajal’s Couture • Jewellery: Jewels By Imaan
Naveeda
With 27 years experience of working in the beauty industry, Naveeda has been at the forefront of bridal make-up and beauty therapy in the UK. A skincare specialist she’s brought her make-up magic to A’list celebrities and countless Asiana campaigns
“I’ve had the most amazing time with Asiana. I’ve been around the world from Morocco to Mauritius and worked in some of the most amazing wedding venues in the UK. My first cover happened by accident. It was 2003, issue three of Asiana and I had been invited to do the make-up for a fashion shoot. I asked the photographer Alex to take some extra shots just for me, close-ups of the model’s face. To my surprise everyone loved them and it became the cover. It wasn’t just a boost for my career, but also my self-esteem. Every MUA has moments of self-doubt but when something like that happens it gives you confidence.
One of the highlights of working with Asiana is the publisher Sarwar. He’s always been so supportive of my work but he’s also like that with everyone, making us feel special and in that environment as an artist you thrive. I’ve never been told what to do and I work best that way. I can look at a model and outfit and create a look from that.
For that first cover 20 years ago I created my signature smoky eyes and lighter lips. Long bindis were in fashion then too but otherwise the look is timeless, it worked in 2004 and it still works in 2024.
I opted for an old time classic for this shoot too which perfectly suits my model Hira. I created a side pony and styled it with a tikka and nath. I’m still known for my signature eyes so they made an appearance.
The biggest change in my repertoire is probably that I use less gold now where as it was very popular in the early 2000s! I love experimenting with colour though like adding peacock colours into eyes.
My other passion is skin. I tell every bride that comes to me that they are my canvas but if it’s flawed my painting won’t come out perfect so I encourage them to look after their skin. They can also come to my home studio for treatments to clear up skin problems and give them a boost of vitality before their Big Day.”
Outfit: Khushboo’s By Chand • Jewellery: Sheikh Jewels
Outfit: Khushboo’s By Chand • Jewellery: Sheikh Jewels
Joggy Kang
One of our go-to MUAS for catwalks and celebrity makeovers, Joggy Kang is a force of nature in the beauty world. She has always pushed the boundaries in hair and make-up so it’s no wonder she is in demand
“Working with Asiana is always an honour. When I started out as an MUA I knew I would be doing bridal makeovers, but I never imagined I’d be waving my magic brushes over A’list Bollywood actresses too. It’s been a real pleasure having opportunities that others only dream of, like doing the make-up for Sonam Kapoor and Bipasha Basu when they were showstoppers for Asiana catwalk shows. These are memories I treasure. Both of them were so lovely and of course stunning too.
Bipasha appeared in catwalk shows over two days and later I did the make-up for her for an Asiana cover and feature so I got to spend a lot of time with her.
Funnily enough, celebrity shoots are always more relaxed so I really enjoyed the opportunity to get to know Bipasha. She loved talking about her own wedding, even though she’d been married for three years she had the infectious enthusiasm of a newlywed and it was so joyful to be around her.
I’ve also done make-up for other notable people too include the legendary Asha Bhosle and even a Russian princess. I’ve learned that whatever your age – every woman loves and deserves a pampering make-over and that’s the service I provide for my brides.
For this cover shoot I wanted to stay authentic to me by creating a look that was glamorous while combining tradition with modern touches. I made the hair a feature by creating a long plait and styling it with fragrant jasmine flowers; it was a vision I had and everyone was amazed by the results – I think this will be a new signature hairstyle that will be popular with brides who want to make a statement, but don’t want an up-do.
I’ve always regarded Asiana as the pioneers of the industry. They are the go-to for every bride planning a wedding and working with the team is always such a great experience. Everyone mucks in and there’s such a fantastic feeling on set. I’m grateful for the opportunities working with Asiana has brought me, including expanding my business. I’ve created my own range of make-up brushes and eyelashes which were a labour of love for two years, but it’s meant I’ve created my own beauty legacy. The brushes help you achieve the perfect blend and the lashes are so light you don’t know you’re wearing them. I love helping women in this way, I’ve created my dream job thanks to Asiana.”
Get Social