Tenth anniversaries are milestones and if traditions are to be respected then this year’s LSAs should make a celebratory big bang

One remembers how the Lux Style Awards began in Karachi in 2001, representing a fashion industry that was barely standing on its feet. That industry is soaring today — numerous fashion weeks, foreign exposure as well as buzzing retail presence being the wind beneath its wings. One has to say that while three of these industries have grown and glistened through the decade, the LSAs like the film industry have gradually dulled away.

While the annual awards ceremony may not be celebrated with fireworks this year, as always the fashion nominations will bring a blitz of glamour to the event.

Best Model (female)Nominees: Rabia Butt, Ayaan Ali, Mehreen Syed, Nooray Bhatti and Cybil Chowdhry.

Considering that Fayeza Ansari was awarded Best Model last year, it’s anyone’s guess why the fashion jury decided to knock her out this time.

Winning streak: Rabia Butt is a dynamo who is as gorgeous in reality as she appears after make-up. Surely, a well-toned figure, naturally flawless skin and the carriage to do runway justice merits recognition. She is in competition with Ayaan Ali.

Best Model (male)Nominees: Abdullah, Arsalaan, Iffi Zafar, M. Mubarak and Rohail Peerzada.

All one can say for this category is that it’s high time male modeling as well as menswear photography became less of the airbrushed variety of abdominals we’ve all gotten an overdose of. One needs intelligent, intense looking real men in fashion.

Winning streak: This award could go to any one of the given names and it would be acceptable. There isn’t a single name that stands out, though it would be refreshing to have a winner who delivers an articulate acceptance speech.

Best Emerging Talent (0-3 years)Nominees: Akif Mahmood, Ali Xeeshan, Amna Ilyas, Mohsin Ali and Shamal Qureishi.

This is one of the most exciting categories this year as it features designers Akif, Ali and Mohsin along with model Amna Ilyas. Their work has been vast and their presence well noticed on the fashion charts. It also puts hairstylist Shamal Qureishi on the map and while not many people may be familiar with Shamal’s work (other than the Toni & Guy campaign), fashion juror Tapu Javeri endorsed the nomination saying that “his portfolio was extremely impressive.” But this list makes you wonder what happened to Zaheer Abbas whose work Hilary Alexander called “very, very, very good!”

Winning streak: The competition is between Ali Xeeshan and Amna Ilyas.

Best Fashion PhotographerNominees: Ayaz Anis, Rizwan Baig (Deevees), Fayyaz Ahmed, Maram & Aabroo and Rizwan-ul-Haq.

Fashion photographers Ather Shahzad and Khawar Riaz have been nudged out of this category, making way for newcomers and that is surely a sign of progression. But out of the given nominees, Deevees’ work is mostly associated with bridals and both Ayaz Anis and Maram & Aabroo have still not shown excellence in this field.

Winning streak: It’s between Fayyaz Ahmed and Rizwan-ul-Haq, though one has to say it’s high time Fayyaz walked away with the glory. His eye has matured incredibly over the years and he has a unique take on fashion despite the fact that he’s not always easy to access.

Best Hair & Make-up ArtistNominees: Creative Team at Nabila, Maram Azmat, Nighat Misbah at Depilex, Raana Khan and Saba Ansari (Sabs Salon)

Nabila and her creative team are a class apart. Raana Khan pushes the creative envelope out of the box but still needs time to tune her handle on hair and make-up. Maram Azmat’s work still isn’t consistent. Nighat Misbah and Saba Ansari may have the largest volume of work under their belt, but I believe they still have to reveal the creative edge imperative for a fashion stylist.

The jury is grasping at odds for a cutting edge make-up artist, and they’re having a tough time finding one.

Winning streak: Nabila’s Creative Team.

Achievement in Fashion Design — PretNominees: Iman Ahmed at Body Focus, Kamiar Rokni, Khaadi Khaas, Sara Shahid at Sublime, Sonya Battla

Iman made an impressive appearance at the PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week early last year and then disappeared. Khaadi Khaas has been popular at fashion weeks though the brand still hasn’t managed to establish the influence of being a trendsetter. Sara Shahid and Kamiar Rokni have been in the limelight longest, though Kamiar Rokni’s traditional take on fashion has been more appreciated than Sublime’s European chic. Sonya Battla remains to be one of the most cutting edge labels in Pakistan but needs to expand to Lahore to be universally acclaimed.

Winning streak: Kamiar Rokni is a favourite this year.

Achievement in Fashion Design — Luxury PretNominees: Deepak Perwani, Rana Noman at Bareeze, Sadaf Malaterre, Shamaeel Ansari, Shehla Chatoor

It’s still unclear what ‘Luxury Pret’ means. And if it means ‘luxurious eveningwear that is ready to wear’, then how have Sana Safinaz missed a nomination? Deepak Perwani has proven his worth as a women’s wear designer but Rana Noman’s single entry at fashion week cannot put him above SS. Sadaf Malaterre and Shehla Chatoor have contributed in two very different ways but one is surprised that an equally popular (if not more) label, Elan has been evaded completely. Shamaeel has not been readily available anywhere. Hers is essentially a made-to-order label.

Winning streak: Deepak Perwani

Achievement in Fashion Design — LawnNominees: Junaid Jamshed, Sana Safinaz, Shamaeel Ansari, Sonya Battla, Yahsir Waheed

A new category emerges with lawn. Though fabric can never be fashion, the jury probably introduced it for the number of designers now dabbling in lawn and calling it the true prêt of Pakistan. By that definition, Junaid Jamshed does not qualify and if he does, then Nishat and Gul Ahmed are just as deserving for having top of the line collections.

Winning streak: It would have to be Sana Safinaz for sweeping the market with goody bags disguised as lawn, setting the panel-patti trend for years to come. Close on their heels is Yahsir Waheed, who not only introduces a very strong portfolio of prints every year but keeps his lawn as simple as it should ideally be.

Achievement in Fashion Design — MenswearNominees: Ammar Belal, Hassan Sheheryar Yasin, Ismail Farid, Republic, Shakil Saigol

Ammar Belal continues to represent world-class style but he hasn’t managed to market his ideas effectively. HSY is an all rounder but falls short of design excellence. Ismail Farid has the aesthetic and modus operandi to be Pakistan’s very best.

Shakil Saigol may have brought an artistic flash to fashion week last year but his is not a consistent brand of clothing. Amir Adnan, Munib Nawaz, Fahad Hussayn?

Winning streak: For visibility and therefore influence as well as excellence in design: Republic.

Best Retail BrandNominees: Daaman, FNKAsia, Generation, Gulabo, Khaadi

Another confusing category. If a retail brand is a brand represented by widespread stores and not designer signature (Zara and Mango are given as examples) then FNKAsia (by Huma Adnan) and Gulabo (Maheen Khan) do not belong here. If they do, then so does Khaadi Khaas, which has been upgraded to Pret. One would advise the jury to modify these titles to Fashion Design — High End and Fashion Design — High Street as to clarify things within fashion lingo.

Daaman is a force to reckon with but needs more time (it is retailing in Karachi, Lahore and on online stores) to blossom. Generation may be popular but by no means has the design influence or vision to top the list. FNKAsia may be a commercially successful brand but put up a weak appearance at fashion week last year. Maheen Khan’s handle on fashion easily surpasses everyone else but her lack of business structure prevents this high street brand to be as acclaimed as it should be.

Winning streak: Khaadi has the look and likeliness to being voted the best high street brand in Pakistan; its product line as well as clothing both diversified last year.