^[1] One hears so much hoopla these days whenever something controversial happens. Financial situation has gotten worse, many banks are rumoured to be closing down and cutting down operations, while commodity prices are reaching new highs. A lot of budget cuts are happening in case of brands, cancellation of campaigns, concerts and what not.

It was a high time that an event happened to shake this town a bit. Seventh Lux Style Awards did just that. Shook up some people and created lots of controversies.

LSA was postponed in August to be held in Karachi at the DHA Golf Club on 29th Oct, 08, with much razzmatazz and security precautions. Whatever and however the event was organized, one has to give credit to the brand for going ahead with the event even when every head in the industry was going this way and that.

I’ll steer away from the controversy wagon about who wore what and said what. That’s just an industry thing and happens all the time (e.g. Gia going bald). What I will review on however is: how I was blown away by the performance of Reshma,–a very well known Punjabi folk singer–Atif Aslam and Shehzad Roy. Their fusion performance received a resounding round of applause. Reshma also received the Lifetime Achievement Award and candidly accepted the fact that she could not speak English and would prefer commenting in Punjabi.

Yes, there were lulling minutes, when the power went down; heck, it’s Karachi after all! At least the audience didn’t have to wait for the ceremony to start for hours. Shaan and Ali Azmat did fitting anchoring of the show along their female cohorts. And for the first time, students from NAPA and NCA were recognized and four outstanding students (two each from NAPA and NCA) were awarded Unilever Scholarships.

Continue for a complete list of winners:

1. Best Film | Khuda Kay Liye

2. Best Film Actor | Shaan for Khuda Kay Liye

3. Best Film Actress | Iman for Khuda Kay Liye

4. Best Original Sound Track | Khuda Kay Liye

5. Best TV Play (PTV) | Lyari Express

6. Best TV Director (PTV) | Manzoor Magsi for Lyari Express

7. Best TV Actor (PTV)| Asif Reza Mir for Merey Dard ko Jo Zuban Milay

8. Best TV Actress (PTV) | Beenish Chohan for Pehli Boond

9. Best TV Play (Satellite) | Man o Salwa

10. Best TV Director (Satellite) | Anjum Shehzad for Pehla Chand

11. Best TV Actor (Satellite)| Humayun Saeed for Koi Tau Barish

12. Best TV Actress (Satellite)| Bushra Ansari for Vanee

13. Best Music Live Act | Strings

14. Best Music Album | Jal for Boondh

15. Song of The Year | Sajni for Jal

16. Best Music Video Director | Bilal Lashari for Sajni by Jal

17. LUX Model of the Year (Female)| Neha

18. LUX Model of the Year (Male)| Ameer Zeb Khan

19. Best Emerging Talent (0-3 years) | Rabia Butt

20. Best Fashion Photographer| Rizwan ul-Haq

21. Best Hair and Make up Artist | Khawar Riaz

22. Achievement in Fashion Design – Couture | Rizwan Beyg

23. Achievement in Fashion Design – Pret | Maheen Karim

24. Best Retail Brand | Khaadi

25. Best Menswear Designer | Deepak Perwani

26. Lifetime Achievement in Fashion (15 years +) | Mrs. Sughra Kazmi

27. Red Carpet Best Dressed Male Celeb | Atif Aslam

28. Red Carper Best Dressed Female Celeb | Tooba Siddiqui

29. Unilever Chairman’s Lifetime Achievement Award | Reshma

- Winner List courtesy Daily Times ^[2].