These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Friday.
PETA Protesters Crash H&M’s London Fashion Show
H&M’s London runway show was disrupted on Thursday night by three PETA protesters objecting to the use of wool, the latest in a string of demonstrations that hit COS’ New York show the week before. Unlike the protest at COS, security let the protesters exit the runway without physical contact. The show went on to debut H&M’s collaboration with Nick Knight and ShowStudio, featuring AI-generated visuals that turned live photos of models into moving painted backdrops. {WWD/paywalled}
Mbappé Leaves Nike for On as It Expands Into Soccer
On is expanding into soccer, signing Kylian Mbappé away from Nike and hiring former French soccer player Thierry Henry as its director of football. The move marks the Swiss sportswear brand’s push into a new category as growth in its core running business slows and investors question expansion within the category. “Our ambition is to bring On’s approach to the pitch, the pavement and the runway – connecting elite performance with the culture that surrounds the game,” Founder and Co-CEO David Allemann said in a statement. {On; Business of Fashion/paywalled}
LVMH Signed an Agreement To Buy Hermès Heir’s Shares
In a June court filing, LVMH denied trying to buy Hermès shares from heir Nicolas Puech, but legal documents show the company signed a 2002 agreement to purchase Puech’s shares, Reuters reported. Records also show LVMH and its chairman’s family holding company paid Eric Freymond’s wealth management firm (Puech’s late financial adviser) at least $20 million between 2001 and 2009. Puech says his 6% stake in Hermès, worth an estimated $10 billion today, vanished without his knowledge, and he is suing LVMH and Chairman Bernard Arnault, along with companies affiliated with Freymond, for €14 billion ($16 billion) in damages. {Reuters}
Half Magic Beauty Raises Series A
Half Magic Beauty, the color cosmetics brand founded by “Euphoria” makeup artist Donni Davy, has raised a Series A round led by Point King Capital, with existing backers A24, Access Industries and ACG also participating. The funding will support the brand’s retail expansion with partners like Ulta, Sephora U.K. and Mecca, plus new product categories and hiring, as it eyes further growth in Australia, New Zealand and Europe. {WWD/paywalled}