A luggage campaign harnessed the power of football superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to earn the most Instagram ‘likes’ ever, while sidestepping World Cup controversy and staking out precious brand territory.

Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui speak to BoF’s Tim Blanks about their new docuseries, which examines the formation of LVMH and Kering and how designers John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Marc Jacobs and Tom Ford helped bosses Bernard Arnault and François Pinault build a ‘Kingdom of Dreams.’

Tim Blanks talks to the creators of ‘Kingdom of Dreams,’ a new documentary series on how the corporatisation of luxury fashion made superstars of John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Tom Ford and Marc Jacobs, and built gilded empires for Bernard Arnault and François Pinault.

Strong growth over the summer has allowed high-end brands to push a bullish message despite a deteriorating macroeconomic picture. But signs of trouble may be starting to show.

Luxury brands have gone all-in on America, but the country’s post-pandemic boom may be on its last legs. That, plus what else to watch for this week.

How did a 75-year-old brand triple its revenues in just four years? By overhauling its commercial offer, racing into e-commerce and investing in spectacular flagships, Christian Dior Couture has radically accelerated its business, transforming itself into “a homegrown Chanel challenger within LVMH.”

Martine Rose, Grace Wales Bonner and Telfar Clemens are among the designers who have been considered by Vuitton-owner LVMH to succeed the late Virgil Abloh, according to sources. A final pick is expected within weeks.

Above all, the French conglomerate benefits from the sheer scale of its core megabrand Louis Vuitton, setting in motion a virtuous cycle that powers profit generation, writes Luca Solca.