Imran Amed
Imran Amed – Life, Career, and Influence in Fashion Media
Learn about Imran Amed — Canadian-British entrepreneur, editor-in-chief, and founder of The Business of Fashion. Discover his journey, contributions, philosophy, and influence in the global fashion world.
Introduction
Imran Amed (born April 20, 1975) is a Canadian-British entrepreneur, writer, and media pioneer best known as the founder and editor-in-chief of The Business of Fashion (BoF), one of the most influential media platforms in fashion and luxury. With a background in consulting and a passion for the intersection of creativity and commerce, Amed has shaped how the industry talks about business strategy, sustainability, innovation, and ethics. His influence extends beyond journalism into thought leadership, education, and global fashion strategy.
Early Life and Background
Imran Amed was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, to parents of Indian origin. His upbringing in Canada, along with his Indian heritage and later life in the U.K., gives him a multicultural perspective—something that comes through in his global outlook on fashion.
He completed his undergraduate education at McGill University (Bachelor of Commerce) in Montreal, Canada. Later, he went on to earn an MBA from Harvard Business School. His formal training in business would later influence how he approached fashion journalism—as much about trade, structure, and markets as about aesthetics.
Career & Major Achievements
Consulting Foundations
After Harvard, Amed joined McKinsey & Company in 2002 as a management consultant, working on strategy and operations. He left McKinsey in 2006 to follow his growing interest in fashion and media.
Founding The Business of Fashion
In 2007, from his flat in Notting Hill, London, Amed started The Business of Fashion (BoF) as a blog exploring fashion’s business side, strategy, and trends—topics underrepresented in mainstream fashion media.
Over time, BoF evolved from a blog to a full-fledged media and intelligence company covering global fashion and luxury. It features news, analysis, data, case studies, podcasts, events (like VOICES), and BoF Professional (a network for fashion professionals).
By 2013, BoF raised seed funding (approx. $2.5 million) to scale its operations, expanding offices to London, New York, and Shanghai, and increasing its team. The platform later introduced a subscription model for full access to its content.
Today, BoF is widely respected for blending editorial rigor, business insight, and industry intelligence—serving fashion professionals, decision-makers, and thinkers across the globe.
Other Roles & Contributions
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Amed has served as an associate lecturer at Central Saint Martins (UAL) in London, helping to shape business education in fashion.
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He has contributed to and written for major publications including Vogue India, The Financial Times, and
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Amed previously served as editor-in-chief at Luxury Society, reflecting his engagement at the intersection of fashion, luxury, and business.
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He has also participated in advisory roles and juries for luxury/creative awards and start-ups in fashion and media.
Philosophy & Influence
Bridging Business and Creativity
One of Amed’s signature contributions is treating fashion not just as art or trend, but as industry—with supply chains, risk, innovation, mergers & acquisitions, and global markets. BoF frequently covers the financial, consumer, and operational aspects of fashion.
This approach helped shift how many insiders and outsiders view fashion: not merely superficial aesthetics but serious business intelligence.
Global & Inclusive Perspective
Given his multicultural background and his early decision to locate operations across global cities, Amed has emphasized inclusive, global thinking. BoF publishes content tailored to various regions, including a Chinese edition.
Thought Leadership on Change
Amed often addresses the big challenges in fashion: sustainability, digital disruption, supply chain ethics, consumer behavior shifts, and climate impact. He positions BoF as both observer and participant in shaping fashion’s future.
His role is not just reporting but catalyzing conversations and innovations within the industry.
Recognition & Honors
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In the 2017 New Year Honours, Amed was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to fashion.
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He has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Central Saint Martins (University of the Arts London).
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Other accolades include:
• Media Award in Honor of Eugenia Sheppard by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (2016)
• Recognition in GQ (British and Indian editions) among influential men and global Indians
• Desautels Management Achievement Award at McGill University (youngest recipient)
These honors reflect his impact in both fashion media and global business dialogues.
Legacy & Ongoing Impact
Though still active, Imran Amed’s legacy is already visible in several ways:
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Shifting Fashion Media Paradigm
BoF has inspired a new standard in fashion journalism—one where business, data, and deeper analysis are central. Many newer platforms and writers adopt this template. -
Global Fashion Intelligence Hub
BoF’s role as a bridge between markets (East and West), designers and investors, and creative & commercial sectors makes it a key node in fashion’s ecosystem. -
Education & Mentorship
Through teaching, speaking, and advisory roles, Amed influences emerging fashion leaders and helps shape how new generations think about fashion’s future. -
Thought Leadership & Agenda-Setting
His perspectives, interviews, and thematic coverage frequently headline debates (e.g., sustainability, ethics, tech in fashion). He helps set the agenda—not just reflect it. -
Model for Entrepreneurial Media in Creative Industries
Amed’s journey—consultant to blog to influential media company—serves as a blueprint for combining passion, deep domain interest, and business acumen in creative sectors.
Lessons from Imran Amed’s Journey
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Combine passion and discipline: Amed didn’t start as a fashion insider, but used his business training to explore a field he was passionate about.
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Start lean, scale mindfully: His blog beginning and gradual pivot to full media business show the value of testing ideas before scaling.
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Think globally, act locally: While based in London, BoF’s reach and content strategy span continents and cultures—an approach suited for today’s global industries.
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Dialogue is power: His success comes from fostering conversation across stakeholders—brands, creatives, analysts, and consumers.
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Adapt and lead through change: As fashion evolves rapidly, Amed positions himself and BoF at the frontier—anticipating disruption, not just reacting to it.
Conclusion
Imran Amed represents a new kind of editor-entrepreneur—one who blends curiosity, domain insight, and business strategy to reshape how an entire industry is understood. From his Canadian beginnings to building a global fashion media powerhouse, his story underscores the importance of vision, adaptability, and rigorous thought in creative fields.