The entrepreneurs masterclass

Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Business nightmares, and how to recover from them: The entrepreneurs’ masterclass,
British Library Conference Centre 18.15 – 20.00 Followed by a reception until 21.00 £10.00 (concessions £7.50)

Is the current economic downturn keeping you awake at night?
Weighing up the risks of setting up a new business or adapting to maintain your existing business becomes even more important in turbulent times. But difficult times can bring unexpected opportunities as well. ‘Business Nightmares’ is a unique chance to hear from a panel of leading entrepreneurs about how they survived their rollercoaster ride and built business success on the back of the lessons learned.

Hear from Rachel Elnaugh, one of the original Dragons’ Den team whose own business, Red Letter Days, collapsed into administration in 2005, Gavin Griffiths, ex-owner of the Erotic Review, Bradley Chapman of Million Impossible, and Aamir Ahmed of dwell. Supported by HSBC, the world’s local bank.

Book online: http://www.bl.uk/bipc/inspiring.html
Event Details - From: 06:15 PM To 09:00 PM
Venue: The British Library, 96 Euston Road


Words: Fusion

Photographer 'Luc Coiffait'

Name: Luc Coiffait

Age: 20

Lives: Newcastle-upon-Tyne,England

Job: Landscape/Fashion Photographer

How long you been interested in photography?
I’ve always messed around with a camera on family holidays and stuff, but only really took it seriously when i got my first ‘real camera’ (dslr) 2 years ago.

What interests you about Landscape -I notice that urban landscape doesn’t feature very much in your work?
Having grown up in the countryside I’ve always felt more at home photographing there, and living in Northumberland means I have some of the best locations for landscape photography right on my doorstep.

What elements are shared in your fashion work?
Because of my love for landscape photography I like to do all my fashion work on location, usually somewhere interesting which adds to the feel of the image.

What are your views on camera techniques, versus the manipulation of prints using software such as Photoshop etc?
Personally I like to do as much as I can in camera, this gives a truer reflection of the moment you have just captured. On some occasions though, fashion work needs that little bit extra.

Do you have any strong views on Digital as opposed to Film, Colour as opposed to Black & White?

I personally prefer film for its quality and satisfaction value, but digital is just more practical and less can go wrong.

Are you interested solely in stills or do you have any interest working in cinematography?
For now I will stick to stills, maybe when finances allow i will try something new.

What are your views on Photography & the internet and issues of copyright?

The internet is a great way of getting your images seen by millions but the dark side is how some people use your images. For example a guy from london regularly copies my gf’s work (Lara Jade - larafaire on deviantart). He recently used the same model, stylist and make up artist on a shoot. This shoot was done in a place just outside a small town where Lara lived and has shot at herself for most of her work. This means he travelled from London, the photography capital of the UK packed with locations, to a small town near Birmingham using the same team Lara had, and shot similar but not as equally impressive images.
Things like that concern me, I believe in crediting your inspiration source if sourced from someone elses creative work. But at the end of the day, people who do this wont get far, as everything they do would have already been done!

Will landscape & fashion continue side by side in your Photography or do you think Fashion will ultimately dominate?
Well the bottom line is, fashion will pay the bills, Landscape wont. I like shooting both, but prefer landscape so i will shoot fashion for work and continue landscape as a hobby and something to get away from it all.

I know you’re still very young, but is there any advice you would pass on at this stage?

Get out and about using your camera every day! I used to travel to a new location nearby every Sunday with my mum, then gradually shot more and more often. Make sure your developing a unique and original talent in yourself =] hope thats ok?

LUC IS CURRENTLY FEATURED IN THIS MONTH’S PRACTICAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND HAS EMBARKED ON A JOINT PROJECT WITH PHOTOGRAPHER LARA JADE (FASHION/FINE ART/PORTRAIT). 2009 IS GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING YEAR.
A PHOTOGRAPHER TO WATCH.

A Selection from Luc’s Work can be seen on fattalent.com with links to his website.

Interview: John warwick and thanks to Luc for squeezing us into his busy schedule

Obama Eclipses Sundance

The US media are reporting that the famed film festival Sundance will feel it necessary to suspend premier activities on the 20th of January as this is the day that the outgoing US President, George W. Bush and the incoming President, Barak Obama participate in a ceremony by which Obama officially takes office.

Sundance apparently will not be able to compete with this historic event and so they have decided not to even try. Obama will become the first black President and the first to not be a white male. He will be the 44th President of the United States. He is clearly the most popular president since Ronald Regan who served from 1981 to 1989.

Focus xxx

A warning to emerging fashion designers.....stay out of the sun!

Recent images of legendary designers on their hols (ooh er!)......


Donnatella Versace


Valentino Garavani


Robert Cavalli

Karl Lagerfeld

Georgio Armani

There's no place like home?

That mountain is just too high!!.....have you ever had that feelin'?

If you are self employed and one of the 3.1 million people that work from home, you'll be aware that the distractions are plentiful and the temptations never ending!...here's my top 5:

1. Sleep - theres no-one to stop you

2. food - It can be one endless lunch break

3. Television - Its just in the background honestly!

4. family/friends - They think that if your @ home your not at work

5. Housework - Its difficult to seperate home from your work life

Reasons to be cheerful.....

1. You can roll out of bed and be in the office in less than 5mins

2. No need to dress to impress (unless you have a webcam/video mtg planned!)

3. Flexi-time ......If you over sleep, you can make up the hours!

4. The overheads are minimal, along with the travel expenses yipee!!

5. Your the boss :)

AUDITIONS!! AUDITIONS!! AUDITIONS!!

Start Time: Monday, January 12, 2009 at 12:00pm
End Time: Monday, February 9, 2009 at 5:00pm
Location: Farringdon
Street: 73 St John Street
City/Town: London, United Kingdom


Major Music are holding open auditions Starting from Monday 12th of January 2009, between 12 and 5pm If you think you have got what it takes, can strive through our development programme to become the next big UK sensation. Then Call us on 0207 490 2299 or email your details to info@majormusic.co.uk to be allocated an audition time and date.

Fat Chat talks to Liverpool based Rapper 'KOF'....

Name: KOF
Age: 25
Occupation: Rapper/Singer/Artist
Web links: http://www.kofmusic.com/

myspace.com/youngkofurbeatz

So Kof, youv'e been a long time Fat Talent favourite and its been great to see your progression, tell us a bit about your latest single release.......

"Yeah I like performing at Fat Talent. There's always a good vibe going on! My latest single release will be this month. The song is called Jump. It's a high energy track produced by Defiance and it samples House of Pain. It's all about just having fun. I wrote it especially with festival performances in mind. I done a couple last year so it gave me a chance to see where I could improve my set. This was the perfect tune for that. I'm not sure of the exact release date but it will definately be on the radio from this month".

I noticed that your busy recording your next album, what can we expect?…..and how does it differ from previous releases?

"You can expect the usual stuff from me which is weird coz I come different on every release ha! This project, which will be my debut album, is gonna be very upbeat. I've been influenced by a lot of dance music lately so the music I've been making has been seasoned with these types of flavours. I'm trying to keep an ongoing theme between the tracks on the album so it flows nicely and I know there are gonna be some tracks that won't fit that. I'm gonna put a second CD with it so I can put some of the other tracks on that don't fit the theme but I think people will still like. I'm gonna give the main CD away for free and if people want to purchase it, they will receive the second disc and a bonus dvd also. There's got to be an extra reason for people to want to buy CDs these days coz it's just too easy to download".

Were also liking the 'Kof' video diary's, what was the inspiration behind that?
"Really it was just a way of people to just see what goes on behind the scenes of an up and comer and just a way to connect with my fan base on a different level and show people my personality and how I do me. I've now been asked to put a bunch of them together to form a full 30 minute piece to be shown on the Liverpool digital channel which is definatly a good look. Also gonna have it on the new urbeatz.tv we're setting up".

So were now into the new year .… what do the next 6 months hold in store?

"Just gonna continue to work on recording the album. Hopefully the release of 'Jump' will set me up with a few nice shows. At the moment I'm just in the stages of setting up a university tour in Ghana in February and I should be flying out to Dubai in Feb for a show which would be big!! My main focus is creating a solid album though. I've been trying to find my sound and my place for so long and I think I'm very close to getting it. This album will be the culmination of that experimenting and experience".

Whats your 3 key pieces of advice, for artists looking to rise up the ranks?

"I'd say keep focused and make the music that you believe in. Also try and make links with everyone possible that may be able to help you immediately or further down the line in your career. Don't be afraid to listen to other people's ideas and always try to use criticism to your advantage. There's a little more than 3 there but oh well! ha"

And last but not least, we always like to end on a random note so……..whats in your jeans pockets?

"Ha ha nothin special really! I've got a tissue coz it's that time of year when I cant escape a cold! My phone which is in a serious need of replacement and a little bit of change"!

Interview: Fusion

Raise your profile......

Music / Fashion / Video / Photography

For a limited period only, Fattalent.com are offering free profiles, so don't miss out.....get yourself noticed - new year, new promotional opportunities!

Enquiries: ady@fattalent.com

As promised we introduce our 'Dare to miss' Diary. Some events that we at the Fat Blog think you lovely peeps may be interested in. Now I am sure we have missed some and this is by no means an extensive list but its a good start damn it! Remember - if you have any events that you want advertising here FOR FREE then get in touch!!

ON GOING

* Dec - 29th March: Royal Academy of Arts print show, selected by Chris Orr @ Royal College of Art. 4-6pm. Free. www/royalacademy.org.uk

JAN

* 6th: Dazzle London - Contemporary Jewellery design @ The National Theatre. 10am - 10pm. Free

* 9th - 11th: King Apparel Winter warehouse sale, 10am - 8pm @ 14 Ely's Yard, Old Truman Brewery, Shoreditch, E1 6QR. Free. (Clothes at discounted prices - yes please!)

*12th: London Short Film Festival @ Roxy Bar, 128-132 Borough High Street, London. 7pm - 11pm. Free. www.zanlyons.com / contact@zanlyons.com

* 28th Jan: Fashion Recruitment Fair @ The Circle Club, Manchester. 3 - 8pm. Free. Contact: nicki@manchesterfashion.com

FEB

* 1st - 5th: Spring Jewellery Fair@ NEC Birmingham. Free

* 15th: Fashion Ryot featuring designers from UK, Africa, India and the Caribbean. @ the Porchester Hall, Bayswater W25HS. 2pm Press and Buyers, 8pm General. £20 entry fee. info@fashionryot.co.uk

*15th: Vintage Fashion Fair @ The Anson Rooms, Bristol. 10am - 5pm. £3. edwin@blindlemonvintage.co.uk or see Facebook event.

* 17th: Manchester Fashion Network presents an Audience with Richard Bradbury @ The Cirlce Club, Barton Arcade, Manchester. 6.30pm. Tickets are £10 in advance & £15 on the night. rsvp@manchesterfashion.com

* 23rd : Untold London Fashion Week, 6.30 - 9pm @ The Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N1A. Free
*24th: Business Link Top Tips to surviving business@ Hollywood House Surrey. Free. See Business Link website www.businesslink.com

The diary will continue to be updated on a regular basis so keep your eyes peeled!!

Skinny Dipping.....

Be brave people, I know the weather is frosty outside and promises to bite and those naughty bits but we at the Fat Blog are asking you to get naked and get exposed!!  

So we don't actually mean cavorting around your local high street starker's but we mean - Fat Chats and performances at Fat Talent Live.  As fans and followers will know Fat Talent Live is a monthly music and fashion event offering a fantastic platform for emerging UK talent.  The Fat Blog is an extension of that & a group of creatives passing on their knowledge (and more often that not random ramblings!) to anyone that cares to listen.  As you will have seen on the blog we have a popular feature - Fat Chats.  This is YOUR chance to be interviewed and gain exposure for yourself and your brand.  Be it a designer, singer, band or musician we are asking you to get in touch and be chatted up by one of the Fat Crew.  Your interview will appear here and on www.fattalent.com so.....want free marketing / PR / advertising for your brand?!  Who wouldn't!!  

Get in touch - pr@fattalent.com

(Picture courtesy of social.moldova.org)