London socialite & fashionisto Emmanuel Ray added yet another feather to his hat by bagging Fashion Icon of the Year award at Fashions Finest Awards UK.

The inaugural event was held at the historic Gibson Hall in London's Bishopsgate and was the first of its kind to support emerging talent in the British fashion industry while celebrating diversity at the same time.

Named Britain's First It Boy by the BBC, Emmanuel Ray is a London success story and went from being a poor child growing up in war torn Sri Lanka, to becoming a London fashion commentator and presenter. Known for his laid back and flirtatious style of presenting, the flamboyant entertainer had the audience in fits of laughter while delivering an impromptu speech involving cheeky one liners and audience interaction.

"I never expected to win this award. Several people have helped me along my journey and I would not have a successful career without the immense support I have received from my audience," said Emmanuel. "Being nominated for this award by the British public and receiving the most number of votes makes me feel very wanted, thrilled and honoured," he added. He thanked his publicist and good friend Philippe Ashfield, for being his "right hand and brain." Both boys wore tailor made suits by Italian fashion house Antony Morato courtesy of Milan Fashions UK.

During an exclusive interview this year, Break London Radio's Trevor Blackman compared Emmanuel's work to Sex & The City. His column Diary of an It Boy contains interesting characters, celebrity cameos, humour, love, sex, London life and of course the trials and tribulations encountered by himself as an up & coming entertainer setting about making his mark in show business. The column appeared monthly on Laissez Faire, London's new free sheet from December 2010 until June 2011. It is now published on five online magazines; Superstar Magazine, The Style Column, Break London Radio, Work In Fashion and My Kali Mag (the Middle East's first gay lifestyle magazine in which Emmanuel Ray appeared in an exclusive cover feature and interview).

Diary of an It Boy was spotted by literary agent Britt Pfluger at Hardy & Knox literary consultancy. Encouraged by her, Emmanuel is currently working on his first book. Apart from his colorful life as a London socialite and fashionisto, the book also contains flash backs to his difficult past, growing up a troubled child amidst terrorism and war, and living in extreme poverty in the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

"I used to be ashamed of my past but it was TV Presenter Lorraine Kelly who encouraged me to share my story, with pride," says Emmanuel Ray. "I am living proof that anyone can achieve anything in life, with hard work, perseverance and faith in themselves."

Fashion TV's UK Country Head Amanda Rudin recommended Emmanuel as the best person to report from fashion shows and events. He was chosen by Hollywood celebrity photographer Adam Bouska to represent Britain in the Los Angeles based celebrity-led NOH8 campaign, when it was shot and promoted in London. He was also the first to report on the British Fashion scene for the He was also the first to report on the British Fashion scene for the World Fashion Channel and was the only guest to be interviewed on Stonewall Live Radio USA's first international broadcast. He is scheduled to feature in Stonewall National Museum USA.

Emmanuel is the only celebrity to be appeared on Brit Asia TV's Broken Silence programme on Sky, discussing the problems faced by sexual minorities in ethnic minorities. He was part of the All Out campaign that successfully persuaded the Ugandan government to abandon the controversial Kill The Gays bill. He has a keen interest in promoting peace and human rights and is also involved in the Ministry for Peace campaign in British parliament.

Emmanuel Ray hosted Miss Sri Lanka UK 2011 in London Bloomsbury in aid of the Sri Lanka Christian Association's children's day centre and playground in Vavuniya, Sri Lanka. He has raised funds for various charities including SOS Children's Villages, Save The Children, Tree of Hope children's charity, London Evening Standard's Dispossessed Fund, St Mary's Hospital Pædiatric Unit, Look Ahead Housing & Care, Shelter, Samaritans, Photovoice, Portugal Prints and Derbyshire Hepatitis C Charity All in addition to helping the poor in Sri Lanka while working with the Anglican church, tutoring children of refugees displaced by the civil war while campaigning and presenting for the Ceylon Workers Congress, supporting poor labourers in the tea plantation sector.

Emmanuel Ray is currently based in London and is seeking representation. He has just completed auditions for 2 TV shows that are expected to be commissioned this year.

December 2011 Fashion News Article Archive

Read more fashion articles from 2010: 2010 Archive Fashion Articles 

Read more fashion articles from 2009: 2009 Archive Fashion Articles