Emmanuel Ray, from Hobo Junkie to Soho Socialite!

Presenter & journalist Emmanuel Ray focuses on fashion, arts, culture and entertainment and was named Britain's First It Boy by the BBC is also known as The Working Socialite.

Emmanuel Ray has presented for the World Fashion Channel, was credited the best presenter to report on fashion by Fashion TV's UK Country Head Amanda Rudin and named the Godfather of the Fashion Industry by Hello Magazine's Emily Johnston. His ability to stand up for, defend and help those who're being used and abused in the industry and his interest in helping and promoting up & coming talent in the industry is what prompted Emily to allocate him this accollade!  

Emmanuel's story of going from being a child growing up in extreme poverty in war-torn Sri Lanka to becoming a London socialite and style icon is the subject of a documentary film to be made by British film director Nirpal Bhogal. The young Emmanuel grew up in the slums and shanty towns in the outskirts of Colombo, while attending school with a scholarship, looking after his siblings and selling snacks on the beach. He was spotted by a German photographer who took pictures of him to be featured in an exhibition focused on the beauty of youth. A rather risque photo shoot (for which Emmanuel is alleged to have forged his birth certificate!) with Russian photographer Alex Bego. The rest is history!

Some say his parties, Socialite Evenings by Emmanuel Ray are extremely difficult to get into, but we think not. Dress well, look good and you'll get in. If not, make sure you have a fat wallet! The London socialite does not host his parties at just any venue. They are hand picked, selected and presented to Emmanuel by his event organiser Ray Clark. Crimson Edge Events are reponsible for the events running as smooth as silk. We wonder how Emmanuel Ray coped before Mr. Clark stepped into the scene. After all, Mr Fabulous-All-About-Moi is enjoying his new found popularity and success by not lifting a finger to do anything.

From dining out to outfits and accessories, spa treatments ro hair & make up, Emmanuel Ray is branded from eye brows to ass! he is a walking talking advertisement and will soon be a full on publicity generating machine. Make the max out it, we say. Looks don't last forever and we find it wonderfully amusing that he remains 30 after from God knows-when! What is his secret, I hear you ask. All we know is that Emmanuel Ray visits an ayurvedic treatment centre somewhere in Kerala. Popular among Bollywood celebrities, the rich and famous, the place has been kept a secret but we will soon find out!   

Diary of an It Boy, Emmanuel Ray's sassy new column is being tipped as London's answer to Sex & The City and appears in various publications both print and on line. From celebrity gossip to London life, the glittering social scene to his very own complicated life, Emmanuel Ray laid it all bare (which is nothing new to him, if the pictures from the latter part of his modeling career are anything to go by!) and did a tell-all interview on Trevor Blackman's Hot Seat on Break London Radio in March '11.

Honest and outspoken, he accepted his life was a drug orgy and alcohol ridden cess pit before he met model & designer fragrance promoter Marcel Nagajek and fell in love. The latter forced him to turn his life around, successfully battle his addiction and work towards his goal, which he has now achieved. Emmanuel Ray has been homeless twice and has attempted suicide 3 times. This does not count the 4 other near death experieces he's had and one thinks that this boy was put on earth for a reason. To entertain us, of course!

Emmanuel Ray's thirst for success and hunger for perfection keeps him going. The flamboyant socialite was offered his show on the spot, during his Break London interview. Radio producer Trevor Blackman is said to have been impressed by his charisma and on air presence and Emmanuel Ray denies  swearing and yelling at a journalist who suggestively asked what he had to do to get the show!

The endless drama in Emmanuel Ray's life will see him attend Isleworth Crown Courty in London (date unknown) to give evidence in a domestic voilence case. He is said to have defended his friend (artist & sculptress) Maria Macdonald-Bell by driving away her ex boyfriend who assualted her. We are unsure of the entire story, but stay tuned for more details once we discover more!

Emmanuel Ray has discontinued his partnership with Nico Didonna and was overheard discussing the matter with fashion journalist Samar Sadullah (at London Fashion Weekend). The former model & dancer is said to be annoyed and irritated at Nico's lack of professionalism and communication and said being busy is no longer an excuse. "I have worked with, helped and promoted several designers. I always keep my word and it pisses me off when someone thinks they can waste my time and get away with it. I don't have time to be running after these people. If they want help, then they should have the courtesy to keep in touch and do the needful" is what we heard an over-animated Emmanuel Ray letting his motor mouth take over. Thankfully, the socialite seems to have cut back on swearing and drinking too much. He also refused to let us know whom he will be naming and shaming in his forthcoming columns.

Emmanuel is often known for his strict work ethic and we think he needs a vial of chill pills before he goes back to temper tantrum-land. Calm down, dear.. it's only a designer!

Emmanuel Ray was seen at the Imperial College's RAG Fashion Show in Mayfair. With his floppy page boy hair cut courtesy of Adriano Spinosa from Twenty8 Beauty Soho (whom he had kept a secret until recently), dramatic gothic style make up by RMK's international make up artist Ernesto Lobera, Emmanuel looked almost reptilian in a green  embroidered silk top, shiny trousers and his trademark pointy grey winkle picker shoes that belonged to his father. He said a few words on stage, flirted with his bikini-clad  "friend" Jenny Hao (we wonder what's going on there?), drew out the raffle and did a kiss-and-go interview with Distract TV before retiring back into his snake pit.

Social climber, Z lister, Style Icon, DIY Celebrity are some of the names people hurl at the pretty boy's smooth golden brozed back! Needles to add, bitchy industry folk were raised properly by their parents so they wont say anything nasty to your face. Besides, who would want to risk being slapped, punched ot spat at by Emmanuel Ray. Let's not forget that this was the man who ran away from anger management and shrinks and is rumoured to have been in juvi for almost a year! The only way to deal with Emmanuel Ray is with love. But if you're attractive then watch out and keep your pants/skirts tightly done up!

Call Emmanuel Ray what you want, but there's no denying that he is fast becoming the face of modern (and multi cultural) Britain and is a self made UK success story. Emmanuel is living proof that anyone can be anything and achieve anything in life and has put the British Dream (our equivalent of the American Dream for the slow and clueless among you!) on the map!

It's all looking very good for the troubled boy who went from the slums of Sri Lanka to the salons in Mayfair! See him talk sex on London Underground Live at the video below.