CFDA Boss Apologizes for Acting ‘Inappropriately’ Against Protesters at New York Fashion Week Show
Kolb said he acted inappropriately and should have left security to handle the interruption as PETA said activists will pursue criminal charges.
- On Sunday, Council of Fashion Designers of America CEO Steven Kolb physically restrained two protesters who interrupted the Swedish brand COS Fall-Winter 2026 show, pinning one activist to the floor as models continued walking the runway.
- PETA activists interrupted the presentation as part of an ongoing campaign pressuring H&M Group to cease using wool, alleging the company sources fiber from a South African facility that treats sheep cruelly.
- Kolb apologized after the event, stating he "reacted inappropriately" and should have allowed security to handle the situation. PETA stated its activists were "assaulted," while protester Mason Melito described the CEO's actions as mirroring industry violence.
- PETA announced it is "filing a police report and plan to pursue criminal charges," though Melito stated in a phone interview that the group is "just considering our options right now."
- Although the CFDA banned animal fur at New York Fashion Week last December, the organization's policy excludes wool. H&M Group aims to ensure 100% of its wool comes from certified responsible farms by 2026.
14 Articles
14 Articles
PETA Protesters Disrupt COS Runway Show at New York Fashion Week, Resulting in a Physical Altercation
Five protesters took audience members by surprise on Day 4 of NYFW.A protestor on the runway at the COS fashion show as a part of New York Fashion Week on September 13, 2026.Credit: Getty ImagesThe GistFive PETA protesters disrupted a live runway show at New York Fashion Week on September 13.The protesters crashed the COS Spring/Summer 2027 runway show, arguing that COS—and its parent company H&M Group—abuse sheep to make their wool.A physical a…
The videos show the man grabbing the protesters, forcibly taking their placards and covering their mouths with his hand, while they shouted slogans such as "get the wool off the catwalk now."
A video from New York Fashion Week has sparked a wave of backlash, showing CFDA chief Steven Kolb restraining a female activist.
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