Opinion From Vogue to beyond

With Carine Roitfeld focusing on her last three issues buzz is that Emmanuelle Alt,the current Fashion Director may bag the prestigious position.

It’s odd; things tend to change so suddenly — especially towards the end of the year. It’s almost as though the countdown to next year has you checking for what’s changed – as much as what’s about to change.

So looking back and probing at the future one topic has dominated airwaves: successions. Three old powerhouses come to the fore,the ageing Thai King,the hermit North Korean leader and the iron fisted Hosni Mubarak.

With Thai King Bhumibol’s ill health dominating Bangkok chatter one has cautiously looked at Thai politics. And now,Bhumibol’s choice of successor – the Crown Prince – it seems worries Palace insiders. Wikileaks,this year’s all-powerful illuminator,has shed light on palace woes.

Palace insiders,senior advisors to the King,have expressed fears over the Crown Prince gaining power,that he unlike his father does not have the support or backing of the Bangkok elite. Naturally this will be a problem!

Bangkok is,as we have seen countless times over the past year,a country run by the elite. It’s the same old rivalry,red shirts versus yellow shirts that have transformed Thai politics into somewhat of a tug-of-war. It’s always the King that steps in,appeases matters,assuages the masses. With him not at the helm,and another who the yellows don’t sympathize with,one wonders: what of Thailand?

Then there is North Korea’s Kim. The president is the only face we know,the only detail we know. That he wears platforms,is only seen in a tracksuit,enjoys fine cuisine and has over the past year been of ill health. The year gone saw a brouhaha broil out of North Korea.

The North Korean leaders curious younger son,Kim Jong-eun,his childlike image seen in most newspapers and on most screens may take over. But the question raised is,does he enjoy the support of the all-powerful military? Will he have the leverage his father does? There is no dogma that surrounds him,It’s reserved for good ol dad. It should be noted that the North Koreans are led to believe that “flashes of light and thunder,the iceberg in the pond of Mount Paektu emitted a mysterious sound as it broke,and bright double rainbows rose up” and their Dear Leader was conceived.

Can such a story be cooked up for the son?

Then there is Egypt and synonymous to Egypt is Hosni Mubarak. For much of this year and most definitely in the next it is likely the streets of Cairo will be talking about succession too. Hosni’s son Gamal is rumoured to stand for elections,that the father will be more of a behind the curtains figure. But Gamal has already created divisions. Him with his technocrat ideals and the Army rigidly stuck to its,many believe that Gamal will lead to a crack in the old system. But will the Generals allow that to happen?

Leaders unlike fashion,are seasoned to survive. Let’s hope the political world transitions as smoothly as the Vogue universe.