Elevating High!
Part philosophy, part business, part LGBT revolution, with some naughtiness sprinkled in, 100% Must Read!
...Socialite Emmanuel Ray's private show-room!
(Pic; up: Emmanuel wears two toned top and shorts by Ioannis Dimitrousis. Charcoal gray shoes with gun metal tips and black socks from the House of Christilano.)
By Bradley Heinz
Photographed by Mark Weeks
Make-up & hair by Joey Choy
Styling by Ejaz Christilano
Some might say Emmanuel Ray is living the life of a fairy tale. But while some characters in our favorite stories have fairy godmothers flit their magic wands and a perfect dress appear miraculously appears, just in time for the big ball on Friday night, Emmanuel's ascent on the scene has been anything but that easy. With a mixture of hard work and twists of fate, Emmanuel, fashion-hound, socialite, author, model, activist and soon to be movie star, among others, hosts London's most fabulous networking events, and has even been referred to as Britain's First Ever It Boy by the BBC, "it was the over-sized cherry on top of the chunky chocolate cake!" he says.
Emmanuel was born into a poor family in Sri Lanka, and got started dancing at age six. At age fifteen, a professional photographer took notice of Emmanuel on a beach and took a few pictures of him. Quickly he found himself constantly in front of the camera at high-profile fashion shoots. Nothing could hold back this energetic young star, for soon he rose above adversity and took the British fashion and business scene by storm.
His fascinating history is not lost on him, as he dedicates his energy to promoting environmentally sustainable products (which we'll discuss later), as well as hosting fund-raising charity events, attempting to save the world and its people at the same time. Unabashed an unafraid, Emmanuel's quick tongue (and sometimes fist!) lashes out against discrimination, homophobia, and extremism. Having dated the whole spectrum, men, women, and those in between, he declares, “Labels are for products, not for people!”
We at My.Kali.mag were privileged to interview Emmanuel for this month's cover feature. Read on to hear about the gayest qualities ever, latest trends in men's fashion, LGBT rights, and the craziest place he's ever applied makeup, among more!
Yours is an amazing story: being picked up off the beaches of Sri Lanka to become a model and jump start your fabulous career. How do you feel that Fate has been at work in your life? For instance, why you, and not another disenfranchised beauty on another beach somewhere else in the world?
Thanks. Yes it's an amazing story and I'm glad it is mine! I totally believe in fate, destiny, and the fact that we are all here for a reason. Fate has blundered over me several times, but has also given me bear hugs and butterfly kisses. Why me? Well, I don't know. Perhaps I was just lucky or maybe Big Daddy upstairs thought, "It is high time I give this boy something good!"
Did you experience culture shock upon entering the world of high fashion in London? What did you do to overcome it, and how do you maintain your connection to your Sri Lankan roots so far from home? Do you ever miss home, and do you ever visit?
No I didn't [experience culture shock]. I've always been interested in the flamboyance of fashion, the visual impact in art and the glittery fabulousness of show business. I became a dancer when I was 6 years old and performed until my late teens. I also had friends and lovers from various different backgrounds and always had an interest in learning about other cultures. I am very much in touch with my roots. I speak Sinhalese and Tamil and tend to get excited when I meet fellow Sri Lankans in London. Unfortunately many people who migrate overseas especially to the West, fail to educate their children about their culture and teach them the language. I think everyone should be able to be in touch with their roots. Other wise if looks like you have no proper identity. This is my personal view.
How did you go about building your persona, and creating yourself anew upon entering your new life in London?
I decided I would always be myself and therefore unique. I think I am a one off. You don't meet people like me in your day to day life! The fact that I have an entertainingly eccentric streak to my personality is what seems to be my plus point. In my work, I look at everything from a business angle, then think about how I can jazz it up and make it fabulous. I hate boredom so I decided to entertain everyone; friends, guests... who attend my events etc - irrespective of what the interview, feature, update or event is about. I, Emmanuel Ray, am not just a person but a brand. I continued modeling when I came to London but I always knew I would not make a career as a model as I never took it seriously and also developed a dangerous addiction to drugs and alcohol. After I took a break and got clean, I returned and started off as a Fashion Commentator. I also run business networking events, host exhibitions, parties and promotions, raise funds for charity and support social causes. So I merged all of this together and became The Working Socialite!
By Bradley Heinz
Photographed by Mark Weeks
Make-up & hair by Joey Choy
Styling by Ejaz Christilano
Some might say Emmanuel Ray is living the life of a fairy tale. But while some characters in our favorite stories have fairy godmothers flit their magic wands and a perfect dress appear miraculously appears, just in time for the big ball on Friday night, Emmanuel's ascent on the scene has been anything but that easy. With a mixture of hard work and twists of fate, Emmanuel, fashion-hound, socialite, author, model, activist and soon to be movie star, among others, hosts London's most fabulous networking events, and has even been referred to as Britain's First Ever It Boy by the BBC, "it was the over-sized cherry on top of the chunky chocolate cake!" he says.
Emmanuel was born into a poor family in Sri Lanka, and got started dancing at age six. At age fifteen, a professional photographer took notice of Emmanuel on a beach and took a few pictures of him. Quickly he found himself constantly in front of the camera at high-profile fashion shoots. Nothing could hold back this energetic young star, for soon he rose above adversity and took the British fashion and business scene by storm.
His fascinating history is not lost on him, as he dedicates his energy to promoting environmentally sustainable products (which we'll discuss later), as well as hosting fund-raising charity events, attempting to save the world and its people at the same time. Unabashed an unafraid, Emmanuel's quick tongue (and sometimes fist!) lashes out against discrimination, homophobia, and extremism. Having dated the whole spectrum, men, women, and those in between, he declares, “Labels are for products, not for people!”
We at My.Kali.mag were privileged to interview Emmanuel for this month's cover feature. Read on to hear about the gayest qualities ever, latest trends in men's fashion, LGBT rights, and the craziest place he's ever applied makeup, among more!
Yours is an amazing story: being picked up off the beaches of Sri Lanka to become a model and jump start your fabulous career. How do you feel that Fate has been at work in your life? For instance, why you, and not another disenfranchised beauty on another beach somewhere else in the world?
Thanks. Yes it's an amazing story and I'm glad it is mine! I totally believe in fate, destiny, and the fact that we are all here for a reason. Fate has blundered over me several times, but has also given me bear hugs and butterfly kisses. Why me? Well, I don't know. Perhaps I was just lucky or maybe Big Daddy upstairs thought, "It is high time I give this boy something good!"
Did you experience culture shock upon entering the world of high fashion in London? What did you do to overcome it, and how do you maintain your connection to your Sri Lankan roots so far from home? Do you ever miss home, and do you ever visit?
No I didn't [experience culture shock]. I've always been interested in the flamboyance of fashion, the visual impact in art and the glittery fabulousness of show business. I became a dancer when I was 6 years old and performed until my late teens. I also had friends and lovers from various different backgrounds and always had an interest in learning about other cultures. I am very much in touch with my roots. I speak Sinhalese and Tamil and tend to get excited when I meet fellow Sri Lankans in London. Unfortunately many people who migrate overseas especially to the West, fail to educate their children about their culture and teach them the language. I think everyone should be able to be in touch with their roots. Other wise if looks like you have no proper identity. This is my personal view.
How did you go about building your persona, and creating yourself anew upon entering your new life in London?
I decided I would always be myself and therefore unique. I think I am a one off. You don't meet people like me in your day to day life! The fact that I have an entertainingly eccentric streak to my personality is what seems to be my plus point. In my work, I look at everything from a business angle, then think about how I can jazz it up and make it fabulous. I hate boredom so I decided to entertain everyone; friends, guests... who attend my events etc - irrespective of what the interview, feature, update or event is about. I, Emmanuel Ray, am not just a person but a brand. I continued modeling when I came to London but I always knew I would not make a career as a model as I never took it seriously and also developed a dangerous addiction to drugs and alcohol. After I took a break and got clean, I returned and started off as a Fashion Commentator. I also run business networking events, host exhibitions, parties and promotions, raise funds for charity and support social causes. So I merged all of this together and became The Working Socialite!