New York Fashion Week took an unexpected turn on September 13 when a protest over the use of wool at a COS runway show escalated into a physical confrontation involving Steven Kolb, president and CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Two days later, Kolb was placed on voluntary leave while the CFDA reviews the incident.

The confrontation unfolded during COS’s Spring/Summer 2027 show in Manhattan, where PETA activists disrupted the runway carrying signs and calling on the fashion industry to stop using wool. Video from the show showed Kolb intervening physically with two protesters. The footage, which quickly circulated online, became the focus of the incident and prompted a public apology from the longtime fashion executive.

The CNBC report on the incident said that Kolb subsequently took a voluntary leave of absence pending a review by the CFDA.

What Happened at the COS Show

The protest was part of PETA’s broader campaign against the use of wool in fashion. Several activists entered the runway area during the COS presentation, holding signs and chanting about the treatment of sheep.

According to Fashionista’s account of the incident, most of the protesters were escorted out by security. Kolb, however, became directly involved with two of them.

Footage showed him taking a sign from one protester and physically restraining her on the floor. He was also seen placing his hand over her mouth. A second protester was similarly confronted.

The incident was particularly striking because Kolb is not simply another guest at a fashion show. As the head of the CFDA, the organisation that oversees New York Fashion Week, he is one of the most visible figures in the American fashion industry.

The show itself continued, with models carrying on down the runway as the disruption unfolded.

Steven Kolb Apologises

Kolb later acknowledged that he should not have intervened himself.

In a statement shared on Instagram, he said he had “reacted inappropriately” and that the situation should have been handled by the security team. The CFDA subsequently agreed that disruptions at shows should be dealt with by the security professionals already in place. His response did not end the controversy. The footage had already spread widely online, bringing criticism from within and outside the fashion industry. According to WWD’s reporting, the CFDA board placed Kolb on leave while it conducts a review. The decision also brings an unusual moment of uncertainty for an organisation that has had Kolb at its centre for years. He has led the CFDA as president and CEO for more than a decade and has become closely associated with the organisation’s role in New York Fashion Week.

Why PETA Was Protesting

The protesters were targeting COS over its use of wool. COS is part of the H&M Group, which has faced pressure from PETA over its sourcing of wool and claims around responsible production.

PETA has cited an investigation by its Asia division into a South African wool operation and alleged mistreatment of sheep there. The organisation has used the findings as part of its campaign urging H&M Group brands to move away from wool.

It is important to distinguish those allegations from established findings about COS’s individual suppliers. The Washington Post reported that the specific facility referenced by PETA had not been identified as an H&M supplier, although PETA said it was connected to a certification system used within the company’s supply chain.

H&M, meanwhile, has said that its priority during the show was the safety of guests, models and colleagues, and has maintained its commitment to responsible sourcing.

The protest also comes against the backdrop of the CFDA’s own changing position on animal materials. The organisation announced a ban on fur at its Fashion Week events last year, although the policy does not extend to wool.

What Happens Next

The immediate question is now what the CFDA’s review will conclude and what Kolb’s future with the organisation will look like.

There is also a wider conversation unfolding about how fashion responds when activism enters the runway. Protests at fashion shows are not new. Animal rights groups have targeted the industry for decades, particularly over fur, leather and other animal-derived materials. What made this incident different was the involvement of one of the industry’s most senior figures and the physical nature of the confrontation.

PETA has strongly criticised Kolb’s actions, describing them as an attempt to silence its activists. The organisation initially indicated that it would pursue a police report, but has since said it wants to meet with Kolb to discuss animal-derived materials and the treatment of animals in fashion. The Associated Press reported that PETA now plans to meet with Kolb following the incident.

For the CFDA, the episode has landed at a particularly visible moment. New York Fashion Week is designed to put American fashion and its designers in the spotlight. Instead, one of its most recognisable executives has become the story.

The runway disruption lasted only moments. The conversation surrounding it is likely to last considerably longer.

CFDA CEO Steven Kolb Takes Leave After Confrontation With PETA Protesters at NYFW

New York Fashion Week took an unexpected turn on September 13 when a protest over the use of wool at a COS runway show escalated into a physical confrontation involving Steven Kolb, president and CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Two days later, Kolb was placed on voluntary leave while the CFDA reviewed the incident.

The confrontation unfolded during COS’s Spring/Summer 2027 show in Manhattan, where PETA activists disrupted the runway carrying signs and calling on the fashion industry to stop using wool. Video from the show showed Kolb intervening physically with two protesters. The footage, which quickly circulated online, became the focus of the incident and prompted a public apology from the longtime fashion executive.

The CNBC report on the incident said that Kolb subsequently took a voluntary leave of absence pending a review by the CFDA.

What Happened at the COS Show

The protest was part of PETA’s broader campaign against the use of wool in fashion. Several activists entered the runway area during the COS presentation, holding signs and chanting about the treatment of sheep.

According to Fashionista’s account of the incident, most of the protesters were escorted out by security. Kolb, however, became directly involved with two of them. Footage showed him taking a sign from one protester and physically restraining her on the floor. He was also seen placing his hand over her mouth. A second protester was similarly confronted.

The incident was particularly striking because Kolb is not simply another guest at a fashion show. As the head of the CFDA, the organisation that oversees New York Fashion Week, he is one of the most visible figures in the American fashion industry. The show itself continued with models carrying on down the runway as the disruption unfolded.

Kolb Apologises

Kolb later acknowledged that he should not have intervened himself.

In a statement shared on Instagram, he said he had “reacted inappropriately” and that the situation should have been handled by the security team. The CFDA subsequently agreed that disruptions at shows should be dealt with by the security professionals already in place.

His response did not end the controversy. The footage had already spread widely online, bringing criticism from within and outside the fashion industry.

According to WWD’s reporting, the CFDA board placed Kolb on leave while it conducts a review.

The decision also brings an unusual moment of uncertainty for an organisation that has had Kolb at its centre for years. He has led the CFDA as president and CEO for more than a decade and has become closely associated with the organisation’s role in New York Fashion Week.

Why PETA Was Protesting

The protesters were targeting COS over its use of wool. COS is part of the H&M Group, which has faced pressure from PETA over its sourcing of wool and claims around responsible production. PETA has cited an investigation by its Asia division into a South African wool operation and alleged mistreatment of sheep there. The organisation has used the findings as part of its campaign urging H&M Group brands to move away from wool. It is important to distinguish those allegations from established findings about COS’s individual suppliers. The Washington Post reported that the specific facility referenced by PETA had not been identified as an H&M supplier, although PETA said it was connected to a certification system used within the company’s supply chain. H&M, meanwhile, has said that its priority during the show was the safety of guests, models and colleagues, and has maintained its commitment to responsible sourcing. The protest also comes against the backdrop of the CFDA’s own changing position on animal materials. The organisation announced a ban on fur at its Fashion Week events last year, although the policy does not extend to wool.

What Happens Next

The immediate question is now what the CFDA’s review will conclude and what Kolb’s future with the organisation will look like.

There is also a wider conversation unfolding about how fashion responds when activism enters the runway. Protests at fashion shows are not new. Animal rights groups have targeted the industry for decades, particularly over fur, leather and other animal-derived materials. What made this incident different was the involvement of one of the industry’s most senior figures and the physical nature of the confrontation.

PETA has strongly criticised Kolb’s actions, describing them as an attempt to silence its activists. The organisation initially indicated that it would pursue a police report, but has since said it wants to meet with Kolb to discuss animal-derived materials and the treatment of animals in fashion. The Associated Press reported that PETA now plans to meet with Kolb following the incident.

For the CFDA, the episode has landed at a particularly visible moment. New York Fashion Week is designed to put American fashion and its designers in the spotlight. Instead, one of its most recognisable executives has become the story. The runway disruption lasted only moments. The conversation surrounding it is likely to last considerably longer.