Skip to main content

Bandana Tewari

Journalist

Her insightful commentary informs and educates Indian consumers and global luxury brands alike about each others’ heritage and culture.

Bandana Tewari

Bandana Tewari is a lifestyle editor, sustainable activist and formerly the editor-at-large as well as the fashion features director of Vogue India. For 13 years, Tewari has reported on the socio-political role of fashion, until stepping down from her role at Vogue to focus her efforts on advocating for change within the industry.

Growing up in the foothills of the Himalayas, Tewari studied English literature from Irish and Nepalese nuns, then went on to earn a bachelor's degree in literature and a master's degree in communications and filmmaking in New Delhi. After graduation, she began contributing regularly to international fashion publications as well as local editions, such as Elle.

Helming Vogue India Tewari aimed to educate and engage readers in India about international luxury brands, weaving in profiles of Gucci and Louis Vuitton with context about Indian consumers. At the same time, she offered insight into Indian culture with an emphasis on the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, and practices for western labels attempting to establish a presence in the market, such as avoiding ostentatious displays in certain months and tailoring products for local consumers.

In 2006, she was named fashion journalist of the year at the Fashion Awards in Mumbai, before moving to Bali, where she is now based. She also served a stint presenting a pop culture fashion TV show. Following her Vogue departure, Tewari now serves as a special advisor to Global Fashion agenda, became a judge for the H&M Foundation’s Global Change Award and is a regular contributor to The Business of Fashion .

Career History

VITAL STATISTICS

NATIONALITYIndian
LOCATIONIndia
MEMBER SINCE2013

Find out more

Latest News & Analysis
Beauty

The BoF Podcast | Re-Imagining Indian Beauty

BoF founder and editor-in-chief Imran Amed sits down with Anaita Shroff-Adajania, Bandana Tewari, Lakshmi Menon and Bollywood superstar Katrina Kaif to explore the country’s evolving beauty landscape.

Beauty

The BoF Podcast | Re-Imagining Indian Beauty

BoF founder and editor-in-chief Imran Amed sits down with Anaita Shroff-Adajania, Bandana Tewari, Lakshmi Menon and Bollywood superstar Katrina Kaif to explore the country’s evolving beauty landscape.


Partner Content

The Future of Indian Beauty and the Next Generation of India-Focused Beauty Founders, Innovators and Creators

At the second annual BEAUTY&YOU India Awards, created by The Estée Lauder Companies’ New Incubation Ventures in partnership with Nykaa, nine brands and creatives representing the future of Indian beauty, innovation and creativity were awarded cash grants and mentorship. BoF also hosted a series of panel talks with some of India’s most celebrated creatives and entrepreneurs, including Katrina Kaif, Lakshmi Menon, Bandana Tewari, Anaita Shroff Adajania, Diipa Büller-Khosla, Masaba Gupta and Anita Lal.

Partner Content

The Future of Indian Beauty and the Next Generation of India-Focused Beauty Founders, Innovators and Creators

At the second annual BEAUTY&YOU India Awards, created by The Estée Lauder Companies’ New Incubation Ventures in partnership with Nykaa, nine brands and creatives representing the future of Indian beauty, innovation and creativity were awarded cash grants and mentorship. BoF also hosted a series of panel talks with some of India’s most celebrated creatives and entrepreneurs, including Katrina Kaif, Lakshmi Menon, Bandana Tewari, Anaita Shroff Adajania, Diipa Büller-Khosla, Masaba Gupta and Anita Lal.


Global Markets

Op-Ed | How Fashion Perpetuates Modern-Day Colonialism

The exploitation of Asia by western businesses is as widespread today as it was when the British ruled India and Gandhi and Charlie Chaplin discussed the subject in a brief encounter in 1931, argues Bandana Tewari.

Global Markets

Op-Ed | How Fashion Perpetuates Modern-Day Colonialism

The exploitation of Asia by western businesses is as widespread today as it was when the British ruled India and Gandhi and Charlie Chaplin discussed the subject in a brief encounter in 1931, argues Bandana Tewari.


Entrepreneurship

Investing in the Sustainability Sisterhood

Female impact investors are putting their money where their mouth is, backing sustainable fashion companies and hoping their bets pay off in more ways than one. But how savvy are values-based investments in the post-pandemic reality?

Entrepreneurship

Investing in the Sustainability Sisterhood

Female impact investors are putting their money where their mouth is, backing sustainable fashion companies and hoping their bets pay off in more ways than one. But how savvy are values-based investments in the post-pandemic reality?


Sustainability

Could Coronavirus Spark a Sustainable Fashion Awakening?

Lockdown teaches us that beyond our basic needs for clean air and water, wholesome food and the company of loved ones, so much of our everyday consumption is excessive and greedy, writes Bandana Tewari.

Sustainability

Could Coronavirus Spark a Sustainable Fashion Awakening?

Lockdown teaches us that beyond our basic needs for clean air and water, wholesome food and the company of loved ones, so much of our everyday consumption is excessive and greedy, writes Bandana Tewari.


Workplace & Talent

How to Get the Most out of Your Fashion Education

BoF’s new Education Council of global fashion industry experts offer their advice to prospective students.

Workplace & Talent

How to Get the Most out of Your Fashion Education

BoF’s new Education Council of global fashion industry experts offer their advice to prospective students.


News & Analysis

Burberry’s LGBTQ+ Statement Was More Than Marketing

Christopher Bailey's swan song for Burberry sounded a powerful call to action for LGBTQ+ rights around the world where freedoms are far from secure, argues Bandana Tewari.

News & Analysis

Burberry’s LGBTQ+ Statement Was More Than Marketing

Christopher Bailey's swan song for Burberry sounded a powerful call to action for LGBTQ+ rights around the world where freedoms are far from secure, argues Bandana Tewari.


News & Analysis

An Inflection Point for Indian Models

Demand for uniqueness and the growth of India’s fashion market are fuelling the rise of Indian models.

News & Analysis

An Inflection Point for Indian Models

Demand for uniqueness and the growth of India’s fashion market are fuelling the rise of Indian models.


Fashion Week

The ‘Made in Indonesia’ Opportunity

BoF investigates how the tropical islands of Bali, Java and Sumatra have become manufacturing hotspots for global fashion brands like H&M, Calvin Klein and Uniqlo.

Fashion Week

The ‘Made in Indonesia’ Opportunity

BoF investigates how the tropical islands of Bali, Java and Sumatra have become manufacturing hotspots for global fashion brands like H&M, Calvin Klein and Uniqlo.


Global Markets

Africa vs the USA: A Secondhand Clothing Showdown

Several East African nations have curbed used clothing imports from the US to support the growth of the local industry, but the move could come at a cost.

Global Markets

Africa vs the USA: A Secondhand Clothing Showdown

Several East African nations have curbed used clothing imports from the US to support the growth of the local industry, but the move could come at a cost.


What is The BoF 500?

The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.

The BoF 500 2025 medallion logo