Creative direction & concept: Aqilah Naqlis
Photography: Tasha Iman
Makeup: Aqilah Naqlis & Lissa Nazeri
ANYAMAN is a series of portrait for a mock beauty campaign done in submission for my Master thesis: Social Media Images of Cosmetic Brands and their Influence on Malay Women's Skin Colour Satisfaction.
The study found that there is an increasing demand for diverse representation of skin colour in Malay women.
ANYAMAN seeks to demonstrate an approach that not only bridges the gap in representation of beauty but also prove itself as a series of images that is able to increase the skin colour satisfaction of its viewers.
This is done by featuring everyday Malay women of different skin tones, facial features and sizes, and with little to no retouching of the skin. This gives viewers the chance to relate to the images and feel represented, thus improving positive association of the images.
"A lot of different flowers make a bouquet."
- Muslim origin
ANYAMAN, a Malay word for weaving, was chosen as the driving concept of the project.
A leisurely past time for Malay women in the coastal region of Malaysia, the act of weaving has become a bonding activity amongst women as well as a craft the Malay community is known for.
ANYAMAN not only holds cultural significance but its visual translation can carry deep meaning of bond, connection and unity amongst women.
