P. Ramakrishnan is a Hong Kong-based journalist with over 22 years of experience, as evident from his comprehensive website, which serves as a dynamic portfolio of his work in journalism, focusing on fashion, lifestyle, entertainment, and cultural commentary. With verbal dexterity, insight and humour, his vast portfolio covers a range of topics, both grave and entertaining.
Experience and Expertise: P.Ramakrishnan (mononymously known simply as 'Rama') has been a journalist in Hong Kong for over 20 years, contributing to high-profile publications like Prestige magazine, South China Morning Post, Kee magazine, Galaxy magazine (where he was an award-winning editor for five years), Lifestyle magazine, China Daily, Robb Report Hong Kong, Hong Kong Tatler, Vogue Italy, GQ India and several others. His website/blog showcases a wide range of work, including celebrity interviews, fashion editorials, beauty product reviews, profiles and event coverage, demonstrating his versatility in the lifestyle and fashion sectors. He has conducted several interviews on video for digital platforms and produced cover shoots with celebrities, models and notable socialites from across the region. As commissioning editor and fashion shoot producer, he has brought together teams of photographers, stylists, hair and makeup teams to create several memorable cover, fashion and feature shoots.
Portfolio Highlights: His site features detailed accounts of his work, such as interviews with celebrities from the East and West; from a cover story with Megan Fox, Naomi Campbell, Elle MacPherson, Roberto Cavalli, Madonna, to Bollywood icons Shahrukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Sridevi and other Indian celebrities, as he was often known as the Bollywood correspondent for South China Morning Post for nearly a decade. His versatile writing has brought to light the work of innumerable musicians, comedians, chefs, and DJs. He also covers fashion trends, luxury events, and emerging talents, reflecting his deep engagement with Hong Kong’s fashion and cultural scenes.
Writing Style: Ramakrishnan’s tone is witty, engaging, and conversational, often infused with humour and personal anecdotes. This approachable style makes his content accessible to a broad audience while maintaining a sophisticated edge suitable for a fashion, lifestyle and luxury magazine.
Furthermore, the writer shows;
1. Deep Knowledge of Fashion and Beauty, Trend Awareness: Rama demonstrates a keen understanding of fashion and beauty trends. In past features, he has written about makeup products used backstage at fashion shows, recommending specific brands, written about seasonal trends among other notes on what's happening behind the scenes. This expertise ensures he can produce content that resonates with fashion-forward readers.
Brand Familiarity: He covers a range of brands, from luxury labels like Chanel, Hermes, Dior, Gucci and Tod’s to more accessible ones like Seed Heritage and Swedish Hasbeens. His ability to navigate both high-end and mainstream fashion makes him versatile for a magazine targeting diverse audiences.
Event Coverage: Ramakrishnan’s coverage of events like summits and fashion launches, product launches and premieres shows his ability to stay current with industry developments and produce timely, relevant content.
2. Exceptional Interviewing and Storytelling Skills. Rama excels at conducting engaging interviews with prominent figures, celebrities, designers, models, politicians, sports figures and even bankers. He captures personality, reflections, analysis, review with humour and insight, creating a vivid, relatable portraits. Similarly, his interviews with global celebrities showcases his ability to connect with international stars and translate their stories for a fashion and lifestyle audience.
Narrative Flair: His storytelling is rich with detail and humour, making even technical topics like beauty products or event logistics compelling. For example, in Survival of the Coolest (May 1, 2010), he weaves a narrative about the challenges of organizing a music and arts festival, highlighting the passion of founders Wong Chi-chung and Yvonne Siet. This ability to craft engaging stories would enhance a fashion magazine’s feature articles and profiles.
3. Strong Network and Industry Connections, Access to Influencers: Ramakrishnan’s work includes profiles of Hong Kong’s rising stars, such as Stephanie Shek, Jonathan Cheung, and Queenie Rosita Law in Prestige Hong Kong: 40 under 40 (June 27, 2018). His ability to identify and connect with influential figures in fashion, design, and media would be invaluable for a magazine seeking exclusive content and access to key industry players.
Collaborative Approach: He frequently acknowledges collaborators like photographers Olivier Yoan and Dino Busch, stylists Tasha Ling, Bhishan Rai, makeup artists Karen Yiu, Denise Ho, indicating strong professional relationships. These connections could facilitate high-quality photoshoots, interviews, and event coverage for a magazine.
4. Critical and Analytical Perspective, Market Insight: In Male-ovalent, (June 4, 2021), Rama questions the viability of launching a new men’s fashion magazine in a saturated, post-pandemic market. This critical perspective shows his understanding of industry challenges and trends, which would help a magazine stay competitive and relevant.
Cultural Relevance: His coverage of diverse topics, from Bollywood to Hong Kong’s alternative arts scene (December 2016, Survival of the Coolest), reflects an ability to bridge local and global fashion cultures, appealing to a cosmopolitan readership.
5. Engaging and Accessible Writing Style, Reader Engagement: Ramakrishnan’s playful tone and self-aware humour, makes his writing relatable and entertaining. This style would attract and retain readers, a critical asset for a fashion magazine aiming to build a loyal audience.
Attention to Detail: His posts include specific details, such as product prices, event locations, and fashion tips. This precision enhances the credibility and practicality of his content, appealing to readers seeking actionable fashion advice.
6. Versatility Across Formats and Topics, Diverse Content: Rama’s website/blog covers a wide range of formats, from long-form interviews and event recaps to quick beauty tips and product reviews. This versatility ensures he can contribute to various sections of a fashion magazine, from editorials to trend reports.
Global and Local Appeal: His work spans Hong Kong’s local scene (e.g., Leaders of Luxury Summit) and international figures like author Jung Chang, The Olsen Twins, Padma Lakshmi to David Yurman. This dual perspective would enable a magazine to cater to both local readers and a global audience.
7. Professionalism and Adaptability, Responsiveness: Ramakrishnan encourages reader interaction ('write to the writer'), asking for contact if credits are missing or content needs correction or removal. This professionalism suggests he would handle editorial feedback and reader engagement effectively.
Adaptability to Trends: His coverage of evolving media landscapes, shows his ability to adapt to changing industry dynamics, a crucial skill for a fashion magazine navigating digital and print platforms.
Additional Notes. A wide range of fashion shoots with top tier talent, dating as far back as 2004 till date, this suggests Rama's focus is on figures relevant to Hong Kong’s fashion and entertainment scenes, further aligning with a fashion magazine’s scope. Rama is organized, having worked on a daily newspaper, weekly columns, monthly magazines, quarterly ones and even editorial head of annual editions, understands the rigamarole of print and online deadlines.
P. Ramakrishnan’s extensive experience, deep fashion knowledge, engaging writing style, and strong industry connections make him an outstanding candidate for a fashion and lifestyle magazine. His ability to produce compelling interviews, stay ahead of trends, and connect with both local and global audiences would elevate a magazine’s content and appeal. His blog, Rama Drama (https://ramarights.blogspot.com), showcases a journalist who is not only skilled but also passionate about fashion and storytelling, making him a valuable asset to any editorial team. For further insights, his blog provides a comprehensive view of his work and capabilities.
