Fashion Executive Apologizes After Confrontation with Protesters at New York Fashion Week

<figure><img alt="Steven Kolb attends the Ralph Lauren fashion show during New York Fashion Week on September 9, 2026, in New York City." src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/HJUFAEOHFZGRDA4VCFAGPEULBY.jpg?auth=cc5485c11015f2681cebb9e2c9910b9859f8a7d8169ed4fe3db6bbcf70b9f05f&amp;smart=true&amp;width=2997&amp;height=2247" /><figcaption>Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images</figcaption></figure><p>Steven Kolb, CEO and president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), issued an apology after videos of his interaction with protesters at a fashion show went viral. The incident occurred during the COS presentation on September 13, 2026, at New York Fashion Week, where activists from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) interrupted the show, holding signs and chanting slogans.</p><p>In a video shared by Fashionista, Kolb is seen confronting the demonstrators, placing his hand over their faces and physically restraining one activist while models continued walking the runway. The CFDA later stated that Kolb acknowledged his response was inappropriate and that security should have managed the situation.</p><p>Several celebrities were in attendance at the show, including Sharon Stone, Michelle Williams, and Lupita Nyong’o. Following the incident, Kolb addressed the situation on his Instagram story, 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.”</p><p>PETA responded to the altercation, stating that Kolb's aggressive reaction to peaceful protesters highlights the violence they claim is inherent in the fashion industry. They expressed interest in meeting with Kolb to discuss their concerns regarding the wool industry.</p><p>Mason Melito, a PETA protester involved in the incident, emphasized the ongoing pressure on H&M Group, COS's parent company, to ban wool from its products, citing allegations of animal abuse at a South African farm linked to the company. H&M Group has not responded to requests for comment regarding the accusations.</p><p>The CFDA recently announced a ban on animal fur at New York Fashion Week, a decision that PETA praised. However, the new rules do not extend to wool or other products derived from shorn animal hairs.</p><p><a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/cfda-head-steven-kolb-apologizes-after-viral-video-of-peta-protest-reaction/">Read more at The Daily Beast.</a></p>