Emmanuel Ray nominated for London Personality of the Year 2012 at London Lifestyle Awards

Fashion presenter and activist Emmanuel Ray has been nominated for London Personality of the Year 2012 at London Lifestyle Awards, by his audience and members of the public.

 A Sri Lankan who migrated to the UK in hope to study art and theatre, finally makes it to one of the celebrities of London. A  S Thomas’ College product, he made his dream come true by becoming the Fashion Icon.

“Last year I became the first Asian to win a Fashion Icon award in Britain (Fashions Finest Awards 2011). I am honoured to have been awarded that title by the public” says Emmanuel Ray. “After only having had a few appearances in the mainstream media, I strongly believe I won this award because of my charity work and human rights campaigns” he added.   

Known for his honesty, outspokenness and entertainingly funny way of presenting fashion and lifestyle, Emmanuel Ray faced a life long battle with severe depression, alcohol and drug dependency and also faced homelessness before successfully battling his addictions and becoming an award winning presenter and activist.  “I came very close to giving up on my career this year due to the numerous personal problems I was facing. I lost my home, office, ambition and my focus. But being nominated for London Personality of the Year 2012, at London Lifestyle Awards has given me hope, and the boost that my career needed so badly. I have now made a full recovery and am back where I belong” says Emmanuel Ray.   

This year, 4,127 businesses and personalities were in the running to be short listed for a London Lifestyle Award and Emmanuel is very proud and excited to have made this celebrated shortlist drawn up by founder Jason Gale and his team. Emmanuel faces stiff competition from the likes of Boris Johnson, Danny Boyle, Gary Barlow, Sebastian Coe and various other established public figures and says he is thankful to be on the shortlist. “It is the audience and members of the public who will decide who deserves this award. I owe my entire career to the British public and my audience. Without their continuous support, my career would not exist. Here, I have the support and adulation I never had in Asia or in the Middle East,” says Emmanuel.

The London Lifestyle Awards were founded in 2010 to honour the lifestyle businesses in the capital whose work has made a real difference and a true contribution to London and the people living in the city. Now in their third year, the awards are becoming established as the ultimate celebration of our capital’s lifestyle. This year’s ceremony will be held on Wednesday 17 October at the renowned Hurlingham Club in Fulham, West London and is expected to be the biggest and most hotly contested yet.

Pop star and TV personality, Sinitta, who is an ambassador of the Awards said, “I am very excited to be part of the London Lifestyle Awards for the second year running, London has had such an amazing year in 2012 and I am sure the awards will reflect that and be an incredible celebration of this great city”. Jason Gale creator of the London Lifestyle Awards said, “Last year’s event was such a memorable night, with so many deserving people and businesses picking up awards.  This year we have had to release a larger shortlist representing such amazing businesses and talented individuals who make London the greatest city in the world.

Emmanuel Ray will be celebrating his nomination at his London Fashion Week opening party, featuring emerging British boy band Class A. The band has made the Top 10 European hit list in Asia and will be debuting at Emmanuel’s party. The event will be held in the popular celebrity club DSTRKT in London Mayfair, is in aid of Wandsworth Oasis charity which supports people living with HIV and AIDS patients who are nearing the end of their lives.”We have requested all our guests to donate whatever amount they can afford, in cash, upon entrance. All proceeds will go towards helping the most vulnerable patients have their gift of life extended for as long as the advanced medical facilities are able to. I am very thankful to all those involved in this event for making it happen and for giving me the opportunity to raise funds for yet another worthy cause,” says Emmanuel Ray.