Karuna Chani (aka Alia Melwani) is an internationally recognized and accomplished make up artist, image and skin care consultant.
Karuna’s introduction to the world of beauty and fashion started at an early age when she spent countless hours reading women’s fashion and health magazines. She became fascinated with the transformation one could achieve through make up and clothes. This passion for the industry led her to Parsons School of Design where her dreams included following in the foot steps of Donna Karan and Proenza Schouler. As a fashion student, she designed for the fashion runways and learned how make up and skin care are an integral part of creating a designer’s vision. At this moment, she decided to focus on her life long love for the beauty industry and never looked backed.
In 2002, she moved to Southeast Asia where she opened her first makeup studio. Her international clientele included women from Singapore, India, Bali, Thailand and Hong Kong. In Southeast Asia she had the opportunity to expand her repertoire and learn different makeup techniques, specifically those targeted to Asian women. Additionally, she freelanced for Guerlain and Make Up Forever and created unique concepts for fashion shows, society weddings and beauty seminars. The fashions and beauty press stood up and took notice and soon Karuna’s work was being featured in magazines such as Vogue India ed., Cosmopolitan Indonesia ed, Femina and Hello India ed.
In 2005, Karuna returned to New York City to work as a makeup artist for Giorgio Armani cosmetics, NARS and Chanel. In addition to working with these prestigious brands, Karuna collaborated with jewelry designer Amrita Singh and worked on various projects with NYC renowned photographers; Ian Cuttler, James Weber and Sandy Ramirez. In 2009, Karuna’s makeup services were commissioned by AND Magazine – an Indian based luxury fashion/lifestyle magazine, for the December cover and inside bridal story. The shoot featured supermodel Sonalika Sahay and was photographed by world famous fashion photographer Charudutt Chitrak.
In addition to her private clients and fashion industry work, Karuna has been invovled with charitable events such as Sunflower Children Funds and Indo-American Arts Council.
Karuna is available to travel on location and welcomes you to view a portfolio of her work.
Bio written by Vijay Uttam