Alex Praud Owner of Proud Camden Gallery Country: Great Britain

Biography of Alex Proud

Alex Proud is the owner of the Proud Camden gallery. According to him, the money to open his first gallery, Proud Oriental, was earned by selling "Rolls-Royces" to the Russian mafia during the wild 90s. However, his own talent and perseverance helped him open two more galleries - Proud Camden in the restless neighborhood of Camden Town, where he successfully fought against drug dealers, and Proud Chelsea in the affluent area of Chelsea.

Proud Camden quickly became the most popular gallery of contemporary photography in Europe, with around 10,000 people attending each exhibition shortly after its opening in 1996. Alex's ability to sense the material, whether it be photographs of superstars by Terry O'Neill or the works of fashion photographer Rankin, brought the gallery a reputation for bold projects. These projects also led Alex to become a jury member for major photography competitions such as the Nikon Press Awards and Observer Hodge Awards.

In 2005, Sony Ericsson signed a six-figure contract with Proud Galleries, making them the sponsor for all exhibitions and allowing free entry for visitors. In 2006, Alex finally fulfilled his dream and opened the indie music club, At Proud, where people from all over London would gather to listen to emerging talents such as Amy Winehouse, Dirty Pretty Things, and The Kooks.

Apart from music, Alex also entertained the guests with burlesque performances, almost losing his license in the process. However, the popularity of burlesque led him to open Proud Cabaret in the business district of the City and Brighton Music Hall in Brighton.

As for Alex's surname, Proud, it is indeed his real name. His younger brother works in a genealogical research company and traced their family tree back to 1750, discovering a lady of dubious reputation and a servant who was considered the black sheep of the family. Despite the revelations, Alex considers himself lucky to have such a name, which has become a good brand for him.

Before venturing into the world of nightclubs, music, and galleries, Alex's father owned a philately shop in Brighton and then became the owner of the renowned philately company, Stanley Gibbons. However, Alex chose a different path, studying political science at university. He had aspirations of becoming a diplomat or lawyer but realized that he had no talent for languages. He wanted to break free from the routine of university and start enjoying life.

For Alex, nothing is more important than having a good time, except for his family. He believes that enjoying life is more important than having a lot of money. He believes that being rich does not necessarily provide more opportunities for fun, as the novelty soon fades away. He would trade his Jaguar for the opportunity to be somewhere else and simply enjoy life.

As the owner of the most successful photography gallery in Europe, as well as popular cabarets and an indie club, Alex has many things to be proud of. However, he is most proud of his children. He also takes pride in the journey he has taken, despite facing numerous challenges and almost losing his business several times. He enjoys pushing the boundaries and takes pleasure in the excitement and danger that come with it.

When it comes to business, Alex believes that the most important thing is the ability to negotiate. In England, success in negotiations depends on the level of shamelessness, and he believes that sometimes it is okay to lose if you can afford it, just like when dealing with an attractive woman. He believes that victory is not everything, but it is enjoyable to have a good lunch or spend a day in an unexpected way.

Before achieving success, Alex often had to fake it. His face appeared on the covers of many magazines and newspapers, but he was as poor as a church mouse, praying that his credit card would work when paying restaurant bills. The gallery became well-known but did not generate income. It was only after opening the live music club that he began to make money. He didn't know how to run a club, but he looked confident, and successful people quickly learn from their mistakes and take advantage of opportunities.

Now, what drives Alex is the desire to enjoy life. He plans to open a club in the Sazek area, which is not a glamorous place but has good potential for income. He also plans to open a Proud location in New York next year. He believes that he can teach people in New York how to have fun and is excited about the idea. He also wants to open a place in the West Greenwich area, which he believes has some similarities to Camden - rough around the edges, with a mix of different layers of society. He finds it appealing that West Greenwich is still unpolished, with sex shops that haven't been removed yet.