CFDA Places Steven Kolb on Leave Following PETA Incident at COS Show

Září 15, 2026 - 02:00

On September 14, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) announced that its CEO and President, Steven Kolb, would be placed on leave pending a full review following an incident involving PETA protesters at the COS runway show during New York Fashion Week.

The incident occurred on September 13, when protesters from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) disrupted the COS show as part of a demonstration against the use of wool. Videos circulating widely on social media showed Kolb physically restraining two protesters, prompting criticism over his response.

Summary

The CFDA has placed CEO and President Steven Kolb on leave pending a full review
The decision follows an incident at the COS NYFW show in which Kolb physically restrained two PETA protesters
Kolb has issued a new apology, saying his actions were wrong and taking full responsibility for his conduct
He said he would step away from work and meet with a professional to help ensure the behavior is not repeated
Kolb has accepted an invitation to meet with PETA and said he hopes to apologize directly to the two protesters
The CFDA has not yet announced the outcome or timeline of its review

CFDA Announces Full Review

In a statement, the CFDA said: “The CFDA takes this matter very seriously, and as a result, Mr. Kolb will be on leave pending a full review. The CFDA as an organization is committed to working with dissenting voices to find commonality and is engaged in efforts to move the American fashion industry forward while upholding the values of our membership, including respectful engagement with differing viewpoints.”

The decision marks a significant development from the CFDA’s initial response to the incident, moving the matter from an acknowledgment of Kolb’s conduct to a formal organizational review.

Kolb Apologizes and Takes Responsibility

Kolb also issued a statement through his Instagram Stories on September 14, acknowledging that his response to the protesters was inappropriate and accepting responsibility for his actions.

“On Sunday at the COS show, two PETA protesters entered the venue, and I inappropriately restrained them. My actions were wrong, and I am deeply sorry. I take full responsibility for my actions. I apologize to them and to everyone who witnessed the incident,” Kolb wrote.

He went on to state that there was “no justification” for physically restraining another person and acknowledged that security personnel should have handled the situation while he stepped back.

“There is no justification for physically restraining another person. Security should have handled the situation, and I should have stepped back. Nothing about the circumstances excuses my actions.”

Reflecting on footage of the confrontation, Kolb said the behavior was “completely out of character” for him, both personally and in his role as a leader. He also announced that he would voluntarily step away from work and meet with a professional in an effort to ensure that such an incident does not happen again.

Kolb Accepts PETA’s Invitation to Meet

Kolb further revealed that he had accepted an invitation from PETA to discuss the organization’s concerns.

“I am deeply sorry and hold myself accountable. I have accepted an invitation from PETA to meet and discuss their concerns, and I hope to have the opportunity to apologize in person to the two individuals who did not deserve that treatment.”

The development suggests that the aftermath of the confrontation is now moving beyond Kolb’s initial public apology, with both an internal CFDA review and a planned dialogue between Kolb and PETA.

What Happened at the COS Show

The confrontation took place during COS’s New York Fashion Week presentation on September 13. PETA activists entered the event as part of a protest calling on COS and its parent company, H&M Group, to stop using wool.

According to reports, six PETA protesters were involved in the demonstration. Videos of the incident showed Kolb physically restraining a female protester on the floor and covering her mouth, before confronting another protester and placing a hand over his mouth. The footage quickly circulated across social media and generated criticism of Kolb’s actions.

Mason Melito, a PETA senior campaigner who was among the protesters seen in the footage, subsequently indicated that legal options were being considered in response to the incident.

COS, meanwhile, acknowledged the disruption and said that the safety of guests, models and staff had been the priority during the event.

With the CFDA now placing Kolb on leave pending a full review, the controversy has moved beyond an individual apology to a formal examination by one of the most influential organizations in American fashion. Further details regarding the review and Kolb’s future leadership role have not yet been announced.

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