CFDA CEO Steven Kolb Placed On Leave After Video Shows Him Restraining PETA Protesters At COS Show

Steven Kolb, president and CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), has been placed on leave after video emerged showing him physically restraining demonstrators from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) who disrupted a COS runway presentation on Sunday at WSA, 175 Water Street.

What Happened

Footage from the event shows PETA activists running onto the runway. According to PETA and the video, Kolb grabbed and held one protester to the floor, wrapped his legs around her and placed his hands over her mouth and nose as she shouted, "Sheep bloodied and beaten for wool." The video also appears to show Kolb shoving and grabbing a second activist who was filming the incident. PETA said a third demonstrator was involved and linked the disruption to findings from a recent PETA Asia investigation.

CFDA Response

"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 CFDA board said Kolb will be on leave while the organization conducts a full review of the incident.

Kolb's Statement

"I reacted inappropriately to an incident at a show earlier today. It wasn't my place to do so. I should have let the security team handle the situation," Kolb said in a statement after the event.

PETA Reaction And Next Steps

PETA said it will file a police report and may pursue criminal charges against Kolb. PETA president Tracy Reiman also sent a letter to Kolb proposing a constructive meeting to discuss animal welfare concerns related to wool. Reiman highlighted that PETA affiliates have released 17 exposés documenting alleged abuses across more than 150 wool operations in seven countries, and she urged the CFDA to scrutinize wool with the same vigor that led to the industry's recent fur ban.

"Rather than allowing confrontation to create a divide between us, we would like to turn it into an opportunity for something constructive... We are extending an olive branch and ask that you meet with us, please, to discuss wool and animal use generally in fashion." — Tracy Reiman, PETA

Context And Potential Fallout

The incident occurred as New York Fashion Week continued. Industry voices quickly debated the possible consequences for Kolb, who has led the CFDA for 20 years under three different chairmen. Some observers suggested he could face pressure to step down; potential successors mentioned in industry conversation include current CFDA executives and senior retail fashion directors.

This episode also comes after the CFDA's recent fur ban across the official New York Fashion Week schedule, adding context to PETA's call for similar scrutiny of wool supply chains.

Status: Kolb is on leave while the CFDA conducts a review. PETA intends to file a police report and has requested a meeting to discuss wool-related animal welfare concerns.