Steven Kolb, president and CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), physically restrained two PETA protesters during a COS runway show at New York Fashion Week on September 13, 2026, before issuing a public apology for his actions the same day.
Kolb’s intervention occurred as the COS Fall/Winter 2026 collection was being showcased at the event. Video footage shows him covering the mouth of a female protester with his hand while pinning her to the ground with his legs, and pushing a male protester into a corner while covering his mouth before security escorted both individuals away. The models continued the runway presentation despite the disruption, with attendees including celebrities such as Sharon Stone, Michelle Williams, and Lupita Nyong’o reportedly present.
Immediate Response and Apology
Kolb addressed the incident in an Instagram Story posted on September 13, stating: ‘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.’ He did not attend a previously scheduled appearance at Brandon Maxwell’s runway show following the altercation, according to CNN reporting.
PETA’s Allegations and Legal Threats
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) accused Kolb of assaulting peaceful protesters, alleging in a statement that he ‘violently grabbed one protester, held her to the floor, wrapped a leg around her, and covered her mouth and nose with his hands while she shouted, “Sheep bloodied and beaten for wool.”’ PETA also claimed Kolb shoved and grabbed a second member who was filming, actions not visible in the widely circulated video.
In a statement to NBC News, PETA senior director of media relations Moira Colley said Kolb’s actions ‘endorsed PETA’s complaint that the fashion industry is unthinkingly violent.’ The group stated it would ‘explore a meeting with [Kolb] and ask him to watch footage from [its] 17 exposés of the wool industry showing sheep being punched, kicked, and cut to ribbons for wool.’ PETA did not immediately confirm whether legal action would proceed, with protester Mason Melito telling CNN that options were still being considered.
Fashion Industry’s Animal Welfare Policies
The incident unfolded amid ongoing debates over animal-derived materials in fashion. Earlier, the CFDA announced that animal fur would be banned from New York Fashion Week events starting September 2026, though the policy did not extend to wool. H&M Group, which owns COS, has not publicly addressed the protest or Kolb’s actions.
Background: The Protest and Industry Context
The disruption began when PETA activists emerged on the runway holding signs and chanting against the use of wool, a material used in some COS designs. The protesters’ demands included removing wool from fashion runways, citing animal welfare concerns. The COS show proceeded despite the interruption, with attendees recording the scene on their phones.
Kolb’s Role and Industry Standing
As head of the CFDA, Kolb is a prominent figure in the fashion industry. His abrupt intervention during the runway show marked an unusual escalation in what are typically handled as security matters. The CFDA and Kolb did not respond to multiple requests for comment from NBC News and other outlets in the immediate aftermath of the incident.