What You May Have Missed This Week

LONDON, United Kingdom – Two days after Louis Vuitton's Cruise show in Rio, thieves stole $140,000 worth of handbags from the brand's Ipanema store. It could have happened anywhere, but there's little doubt that all is not well in Brazil, where poor economic performance and political disarray are having a serious effect on the country's appetite for luxury goods.

Meanwhile, Dior and Gucci both staged their Cruise shows in the UK, where the latest opinion polls suggest the upcoming EU referendum could be very close. Make no mistake: 'Brexit' would be bad news for fashion.

In 2013, Bottega Veneta hit a critical milestone: €1 billion in annual revenue. But growth has since slowed at the Kering-owned brand. Now Operation "€2 Billion Bottega Veneta" is underway, according to CEO Carlo Beretta… The men's fashion week calendar is getting thinner, as mega-brands from Burberry to Gucci move towards mixed gender shows. What does this mean for the future of men's fashion weeks?

...Tim Coppens will design Under Armour's new premium sportswear line...

Catch up on these stories and more with BoF’s Week in Review.

1. Gucci at the Abbey: Here Be Dragons

Gucci Cruise 2017 | Source: Courtesy

More is more is more fuels Alessandro Michele's gorgeous fashion fever dream.

2. The Trouble With Brazil's Luxury Market

Ipanema beach, Rio de Janeiro | Source: Shutterstock

Facing a weak economy and widespread government corruption, Brazil’s luxury consumers are weary. Yet fashion brands continue to invest in the country.

3. Vuitton Investing, Not Surfing, in Brazil

Louis Vuitton Cruise 2017 | Source: Louis Vuitton

Brazil’s crisis is serious and widespread, but the market remains critical to Louis Vuitton's long-term strategy.

4. A 'Brexit' Would Be Bad for Fashion

Illustration: Costanza Milano for BoF

Britain’s exit from the European Union would do real damage to the global fashion industry.

5. BoF Exclusive | Carlo Beretta on Operation '€2 Billion Bottega Veneta'

Carlo Beretta | Source: Courtesy

Bottega Veneta CEO Carlo Beretta tells BoF’s Imran Amed about his plans to reinvigorate the brand and drive €2 billion in annual revenue.

6. Top 6 Central Saint Martins BA Graduates of 2016

(Clockwise R-L) Sergiy Grechyshkin, Kota Gushiken, Imogen Wright, Philip Ellis, Joanna Melbourne and Susang Hwang | Image: Tuo Yi for BoF

BoF spotlights the six most promising graduate designers of the year presenting their collections today at Central Saint Martins' BA runway show.

7. Dior's Quintessential England: the Rain, the Train and a Grand Country Home

Dior Cruise 2017 | Source: Dior

At Blenheim Palace, where Dior staged its Cruise 2017 show, grand old traditions — both French and British — collided with peculiar compatibility.

8. Will LVMH Change Loro Piana's Commitment to Ultra Luxury?

Loro Piana store | Source: Shutterstock

This year could bring an end to the Loro Piana family’s involvement in the business, which was acquired by LVMH in 2013.

In Other News...

Dior Says New Designer 'Work in Progress'
Lululemon Founder Says Company 'Has Lost its Way'
Under Armour Cuts Outlook, Cites Sports Authority Closing
Johnson & Johnson to Buy Hair Care Products Maker Vogue for $3.3B