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WINNER: Jessica Anuna-Rose, aged 20, was honoured for achievement through fashion

A YOUNG fashionista with a passion for design was one of the capital’s inspirational young people to be honoured at the Spirit of London Awards.

Jessica Anuna Rose, of Wandsworth, was recognised for achievement through fashion after the online magazine she set up a few months ago proved a massive hit.

The 20-year-old and her all-girl team of journalists cover red carpet events and front row catwalk shows as well as offering readers style tips and celebrity interviews.

Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson was so impressed with Rose’s achievements that he named her one of his Virgin Media Pioneers earlier this year.

Rose, who had longed to be a journalist since she was a teenager, was determined not to be put off by the barriers into an industry that is dominated by the well-connected white middle class.

Speaking of her award, the south Londoner told The Sun, who sponsored the ceremony: "I hope tonight shows young kids they can go into business and you don't have to be rich or go to university to do it."

The Spirit of London Awards, now in its third year, is organised by young people on behalf of the Damilola Taylor Trust, an anti-youth violence initiative set up in memory of the murdered schoolboy of the same name.

Its aim is to celebrate young people who are doing positive things in their community but often live in the shadows of negative press coverage.

The black tie event held at Royal Albert Hall, in west London, on Monday, October 10, was particularly poignant this year and provided a refreshing change from the negative press that surrounded young people following the August riots.

Other young people flying the flag for their communities included Samuel Kasumu, of Barnet, who founded Elevation Networks – an organisation that helps tackle youth unemployment – and east London poet Antoinette-Rita Opayemi who shone in categories for business and the arts respectively.

Kasumu said: “Everyone in the category was deserving of the award so I was humbled to have won.

“There are currently not enough platforms for positive young people. The Spirit of London Award is not the only award of its kind, but it gets more media coverage. It can inspire others to do more when they see a person who looks and talks like them being recognised in this way.”

Peckham BMX Club, based in Southwark, was celebrated for achievement in sport while youth group Haringey Young People Empowered (Hype) scooped the award for London Community Champions.

Hype was co-founded by three young people who grew up in Tottenham and Edmonton as a vehicle to improve youth relationships with the police.

The organisation has tackled issues like gang culture, postcode barriers, and gone into Haringey schools running programmes on relationships between young men and women and how better communication can lead to safety on the streets.

Performers included Tinchy Stryder, Beverly Knight, DJ Fresh, Bluey Robinson and dance troupe Diversity who thrilled the 3,000-plus crowd.

Paul Gbegbaje who found fame on ITV show Britain’s Got Talent opened the glamorous affair hosted by Choice FM DJ and comedian Eddie Kadi and X Factor Stacey Solomon.

Well-known faces who joined the celebrations included actor Ashley Walters, US star Keri Hilson and Olympic Bronze medallist Tasha Danvers.

Gary Trowsdale, managing director of the Damilola Taylor Trust, said: “This country needs to properly invest in its young people and if it does so the future will be bright.

“The stories we have witnessed tonight are testament to what young people can achieve if given the inspiration and support”