REPORT
The trundling ways of
the Lux Style Awards
J
ust when you were wondering if they would ever
surface, the Lux Style Awards (LSAs) nominations
for 2014 were announced, bringing with them the
usual spate of wounded egos, controversy and tirades.
The Television nominations particularly have come under fire, with the initial list excluding Geo TV’s Bashar
Momin from the Best Satellite Play category and the
lion’s share of nominations being dedicated to ARY
Digital. Subsequently, Faysal Quraishi was nominated
as Best Actor for his role in 'Bashar Momin' only for the
actor to refuse the nomination, complaining openly on
social media of the “bias within a once very prestigious
award.” Other contenders, specifically productions by
Hum TV, have also blatantly backed out.Meanwhile, the
cinematic categories reflect the growth within local cinema, pitting the commercial hit Na Maloom Afraad against
the not-so-successful Operation O21 and thought-provoking Dukhtar. However, eyebrows have been raised
because of the omission of Mohib Mirza for Dukhtar in
the Best Film Actor nominations while Ayub Khosa has
been recognised for a role in Operation O21 that didn’t
impress many. This year also marks the apt return of
the bridal fashion category to the LSAs. It’s a long overdue change: bridal fashion has thankfully become more
experimental and bridal events consistently dot the local fashion roster. Also welcome is the elimination of
the confusing High Street category which endlessly got
confused with Pret and Luxury-pret. The fashion nominations uncharacteristically remain non-controversial although one does notice the omission of some seasoned
players.
Khaadi’s ready-to-wear, winner of 10 Luxies thus far, is
no longer in the running now that the ‘High Street’ category has been eliminated. The brand does figure in the
unstitched lawn nominations, though.Debates inevitably follow the nomination announcements and though
they continue to be riveting, it’s fast becoming difficult to
get excited about the LSAs. For how does one associate credibility with a platform that refuses to take itself
seriously? The high-tea that took place last year — an
‘understated, elegant affair’, as described by the LSA
organisers — couldn’t possibly compare to the grandiose galas of previous years.The LSA platform has been
built brick by brick