Business of Fashion’s Imran Amed Talks Music And Fashion

Imran Amed — the renowned editor-in-chief of The Business of Fashion (BoF) — took center stage earlier this week to talk about the ever-evolving world of fashion at the highly anticipated Vogue Talks.

Hosted by Vogue Philippines, the monumental event brought together fashion enthusiasts, designers, and industry leaders to celebrate and delve into the marvelous, dynamic, and multifaceted industry as Amed, who has been a prominent figure in the global fashion scene for years, shared his insights, learnings, and takeaways.

This installment of Vogue Talks was held last Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at the glittering Samsung Performance Arts Theatre in Circuit Makati, creating the perfect atmosphere for one of Vogue Philippines’ most historic events yet.

The event began with a warm welcome from the Publisher of Vogue Philippines, Rhoda Campos-Aldanese, who greeted and thanked the audience for spending the afternoon with them. Campos-Aldanese was joined by Editor-in-Chief Bea Valdes and Fashion Director Pam Quinones, both of whom facilitated the rest of the event and interviewed Amed on his multicultural identity, being an outsider in the media industry, and BoF’s humble beginnings in 2007.

Amed’s remarkable journey from being a management consultant in London to becoming one of fashion’s most prominent figures captivated everyone. “A lot of people told me there were no jobs for people like me in fashion, so I decided to start my own company,” he shared. Amed also emphasized the transformative power of education and the invaluable support he received, particularly from his family and the diverse experiences garnered from living in various cities. As an industry outsider, he maintained an innovative and curious mindset. Through BoF, he aimed to establish a secure platform for people to exchange thoughts and engage in discussions that influence the fashion industry.

Throughout the event, Amed emphasized the importance of cultural heritage in shaping fashion. Being an outsider in the media industry allowed Amed to remain curious and innovate unexpectedly. He formed BoF as “a safe place for people to share their ideas, to discuss and debate the things that were shaping the fashion industry.”

The talk also featured an interactive Q&A session, which opened the floor to questions that Amed gamely answered. This segment provided valuable insights regarding passion and purpose, fashion and fads, technology, and beauty. Amed’s responses were candid and inspiring, giving the audience a renewed sense of purpose and passion for fashion.

In a roundtable interview, Amed also shared his thoughts regarding how he sees the music industry, adding that there is a symbiotic relationship between music and fashion that influences BoF. “When we first talk about peak cultural figures back in 2003 that were shaping the industry, using fashion to carve out a distinctive identity in music, we can see what artists wear,” he said. “They’re always in the videos and on stage, and have always been a part of expressing their identity and connecting their music with a specific look.”

He also mentioned his meeting with June Ambrose, a notable creative director and stylist who used to dress up hip-hop artists in the ’90s, who told him at that time that no brand wanted to give him clothes. There was a struggle to find inventive ways of getting clothes for these artists. But now, It is much more accessible — brands are falling over themselves to dress musicians in a culture where music, film, and fashion all exist in our feed.

“I think the connection between music and fashion has always been creative, and now what you see is exactly a business,” explained Amed. “We can see personalities or big stars now — what they wear is part of what people see in this intersection and convergence of music and fashion. It has become evident that fashion brands and the music industry are more intentional in their work together.”

Amed’s Vogue Talks in the Philippines was more than just a fashion event; it was a celebration of creativity, culture, beauty, and the future of fashion. His insights and experiences resonated deeply with the audience, inspiring established professionals and budding designers. As the momentous event concluded, Amed had given the Filipino audience much-needed inspiration and a fresh take on possibly engaging on a bigger stage, and furthering their business in the industry. With his enlightening insights and experiences, fashion is definitely moving towards a brighter future.