Council of Fashion Designers CEO put on leave after altercation with PETA activists

**CFDA CEO Steven Kolb Placed on Leave After Altercation With PETA Protesters**

Steven Kolb, president and CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, has been placed on leave following an altercation with PETA activists during a COS runway show at New York Fashion Week.

The incident occurred Sunday at WSA at 175 Water Street, where People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals activists interrupted the show to protest COS and parent company H&M Group’s use of wool.

Video footage shared on social media appeared to show Kolb physically confronting protesters who had entered the runway during the event.

The activists were carrying signs and shouting objections to the use of sheep’s wool in fashion collections.

The footage quickly drew attention online, prompting the CFDA to announce that Kolb would step away from his responsibilities while the organization conducts a full review.

The CFDA said it was treating the incident seriously and emphasized its commitment to engaging with differing opinions and dissenting voices respectfully.

Kolb initially acknowledged that his response to the protesters was inappropriate.

He said the situation should have been handled by security personnel rather than by him personally.

In a subsequent apology shared through his Instagram Stories, Kolb provided additional comments about the incident and his decision to take voluntary leave.

According to reports, Kolb said reviewing video of the confrontation helped him understand the reaction it generated.

He added that he did not recognize himself in the footage and expressed regret over how he responded.

Kolb said he was taking responsibility for his actions and was meeting with a professional to help ensure that a similar situation does not occur again.

He also said he had accepted an invitation from PETA to discuss the organization’s concerns about wool production.

Kolb expressed hope that he could apologize personally to the two individuals involved in the confrontation.

### PETA Calls for Action on Wool

PETA said the activists involved in the incident were filing a police report and intended to pursue criminal charges.

The animal-rights organization used the confrontation to renew its criticism of wool production and H&M’s sourcing practices.

PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk accused fashion industry leaders of using aggressive tactics to silence activists who raise concerns about the treatment of sheep.

The organization has called on H&M and COS to remove wool from their collections and urged consumers to consider shopping elsewhere until changes are made.

The protest specifically focused on H&M’s wool-sourcing practices.

PETA has previously challenged the retailer’s claims regarding responsible wool sourcing, pointing to an investigation by PETA Asia involving a certified South African operation connected to the company’s supply chain.

The organization has argued that conditions within parts of the wool industry do not match the assurances made to consumers through responsible-sourcing claims.

### Kolb’s Role at the CFDA

Kolb has been associated with the Council of Fashion Designers of America for two decades.

He joined the organization in 2006 and became its chief executive in 2011.

The CFDA represents more than 300 American fashion designers and plays a prominent role in the U.S. fashion industry.

Its activities include the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund and the annual CFDA Awards.

Kolb’s leave comes during one of the industry’s most closely watched periods, with New York Fashion Week bringing designers, brands, models, activists and industry executives together.

The CFDA’s review will determine the organization’s next steps as it examines the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.

Meanwhile, the incident has brought renewed attention to tensions between fashion brands using animal-derived materials and activists campaigning for changes in sourcing and production practices.