S4, Ep1 – In conversation with Imran Amed
24 January 2024
As the Founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of The Business of Fashion, Imran Amed MBE has created the ultimate resource for creatives, executives and entrepreneurs all over the world as the voice of authority of the 2.5 trillion-dollar global fashion and luxury industries.
In the debut episode of Life & Smile Season Four, Dr Reena takes the conversation global with one of fashion’s leading writers, thinkers, and commentators. Listen now, recorded live from our Harley Street recording studio to learn just how it all began.
Conversation Show Notes – The Recap
Imran takes us back to day one, sharing how he started his career as a management consultant while studying at McGill University in Montreal. While his friends moved to New York, LA, Paris, and London, Imran decided to remain in Montreal — which he describes as one of the most underrated cities on the planet — captivated by its culture and language, and hoping to improve his French.
This was during a period when the internet was just beginning to take off, still combined with old-school methods. This was ten years before he founded BOF and moved to London in 1999. He then travelled extensively across Europe for work before attending Harvard Business School for two years. This period coincided with the dot-com bubble burst and 9/11, making it a challenging time globally, especially for entering creative industries. During this time, Imran worked at McKinsey over the summer and was later offered a permanent role, where he stayed for three to four years. Eventually, he took a break to embark on a meditation course, which became a turning point, leading him to step away from the traditional business track and reconnect with his creative roots.
The turning point came in 2007 when he decided to remove the password from his private blog about the fashion business — initially intended for family and friends — while sitting on his sofa in London. Within months, his newsletter attracted tens of thousands of subscribers, including some impressive industry names.
After downsizing his Notting Hill apartment and making significant lifestyle changes, by 2012, Imran had to employ a full-time assistant and a part-time editor in NYC, with contributors worldwide. Creating a global media company was never his initial plan, but the growing interest from investors made it inevitable.
Dr Reena discusses how Imran refined his writing craft, which he acknowledges requires practice and dedication. This led to opportunities to write for prestigious publications such as Vogue and the Financial Times, working alongside some of the industry’s leading editors.
Since then, BOF has become the go-to resource for the fashion industry, serving a multi-million-strong community across more than 200 countries. The fashion world is global and constantly evolving, and Imran’s favourite moments come from meeting people and hearing their stories — including iconic figures like Karl Lagerfeld, Yohji Yamamoto, Kate Moss, Malala Yousafzai, and Kim Kardashian. Tapping into their craft and expertise is a true privilege.
Currently, Imran is obsessed with artificial intelligence and how this technology will reshape the world and the way we live.
His advice to his younger self, and anyone seeking to lead a purposeful life and career, is to really understand yourself. Meditation is a key tool that helps process large amounts of information and emotions in the chaotic, noisy world we live in.
Imran admits he doesn’t have a singular “proudest moment,” but what truly connects him to his work is when he receives a DM from someone or is stopped in places like Japan or New York by someone sharing how his stories have helped them during difficult times.
Health and wellness are essential — meditation, diet, sleep, and exercise all make a huge difference. As a natural perfectionist, learning to give yourself a break is crucial. Key rituals, especially when travelling, provide structure during intense schedules. Prioritising sleep enables Imran to continue being the best version of himself.
Finally, Imran shares his mini survival kit essentials: he always carries a notebook, a microphone (similar to the one recording this podcast), and his phone — items that have become foundational to how he built his career and BOF.
Episode Key Takeaways – The Best ideas
Fashion is a truly global industry with the power to inspire and connect people worldwide.
The more you travel, the more you learn; the more inspired you become, the more ideas you generate.
The work you are meant to do often lives within you from a very young age.
Writing is a craft—like any craft, the more you practice, the better you become. Reading and writing consistently are essential.
Meeting new people is a true privilege.
Anyone seeking to live and work with purpose must begin by deeply understanding themselves.
If you can’t align your interests and passions with your work and education, it will take longer to find a life that brings you joy.
Constantly absorbing information without allowing yourself time to rest prevents clarity from emerging.
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