Fashion CEO Steps Down Following Confrontation With PETA Activists
WHO:
The Guardian - Steven Kolb, chief executive of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)
The Guardian - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) activists, including Mason Melito
The Guardian - CFDA board members, including Ralph Lauren, Thom Browne, Tory Burch, and Michael Kors
WHAT:
The Guardian - Kolb announced a "voluntary" leave of absence earlier in the week before his resignation.
The Guardian - A statement from the CFDA board noted that Kolb served as CEO for 15 years.
The Guardian - The CFDA has not yet named a successor to Kolb.
The Guardian - Kolb was placed on leave pending a review of the incident during a COS show at New York fashion week.
The Guardian - Kolb stated, “I am enormously proud of what we have built together and believe this is the right moment for both me and the organisation to begin a new chapter.”
The Guardian - A PETA spokesperson indicated that they will still be meeting with Kolb and hope others in the industry will take meaningful steps to stop animal cruelty.
The Guardian - Steven Kolb resigned as CEO and president of the CFDA after 20 years of leadership.
The Guardian - Kolb was filmed physically restraining two PETA protesters during a COS show at New York fashion week.
The Guardian - Kolb pushed a protester, Mason Melito, and covered his mouth, while also restraining a second protester on the ground.
ABC News Entertainment - Kolb announced his decision to step down days after the incident.
WHERE:
The Guardian - PETA staged another protest during London fashion week at an H&M show, where three protesters held signs stating “H&M: Wool is bloody cruel. Drop it.”
The Guardian - PETA staged another protest during London fashion week at an H&M show.
The Guardian - New York fashion week, specifically during a COS show.
WHY:
The Guardian - A PETA spokesperson stated that the incident would not have occurred if Daniel Ervér, CEO of H&M, had taken action to prevent animal cruelty, reiterating previous requests made to him.
The Guardian - A PETA spokesperson claimed that the incident would not have occurred if Daniel Ervér, CEO of H&M, had taken action to prevent animal cruelty.
The Guardian - The incident occurred during a protest against the use of wool by the H&M group, which owns COS.
The Guardian - A PETA spokesperson stated that the incident would not have happened if H&M's CEO had taken action to prevent animal cruelty.
HOW:
The Guardian - Kolb physically restrained the protesters by pushing one and using his arms and a leg to hold the second protester down.
(UPDATED September 19, 2026 18:55 UTC)
In a significant development, CFDA CEO Steven Kolb has announced a voluntary leave of absence, which precedes his resignation after serving in the role for 15 years. This comes on the heels of a protest by PETA during London Fashion Week, where activists called out H&M for animal cruelty, urging CEO Daniel Ervér to take action. As of now, the CFDA has not named a successor to Kolb.
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(UPDATED September 19, 2026 14:56 UTC)
Kolb has been placed on leave pending a review of an incident that occurred during a COS show at New York Fashion Week, and he expressed pride in his work while stating that this is the right moment for a new chapter for both himself and the organization. Meanwhile, PETA staged a protest during London Fashion Week at an H&M show, with a spokesperson claiming that the recent incident could have been avoided if H&M's CEO, Daniel Ervér, had taken steps to prevent animal cruelty. PETA also indicated they will continue to meet with Kolb and hope to inspire meaningful changes within the industry.
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(UPDATED September 19, 2026 13:57 UTC)
Steven Kolb has resigned as CEO and president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America after two decades of leadership, following an incident during New York Fashion Week where he was filmed restraining two PETA protesters. The confrontation occurred at a COS show, which is part of the H&M group, during a protest against the use of wool, and Kolb was seen pushing protester Mason Melito and holding another protester down. Kolb's decision to step down came just days after the incident, which a PETA spokesperson claimed could have been avoided if H&M's CEO had taken steps to prevent animal cruelty.