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Our Take —

Razor Red is publication that perfectly proves the disparity between the sound byte theories of globalisation that we now simply assume to be true and local context. Published quarterly in Hong Kong in a glossy oversized format, it raises numerous questions about what we think we might know about the rapid transformation of Chinese society both in the People’s Republic and the former British outpost. For a start, it is entirely different from the local versions of big established fashion titles eager to capitalize on China’s newly rich with a diet of stadium-filler luxury brands.

In Razor Red, what is selected for inclusion – from the photography and brands given editorial to the feature articles and designers profiled – consists of an eclectic mix barely ever encountered elsewhere. Yes, one suspects that this is partly because this fairly young title operates on submissions basis. But, even then, the result is something that readily speaks of a Hong Kong eager to engage with the rest of the world and offers some very strong talent.

Whilst pop music and other forms of pop culture are given some profile in Razor Red, it is primarily a fashion magazine and clearly focuses on very young talent which, one assumes, is one of the reasons that it has gained popularity with a young audience locally.