<p>New York Fashion Week recently grabbed headlines for more than just its runway shows and celebrity appearances. The event was overshadowed by a confrontation involving CFDA chief Steven Kolb, and PETA protesters at the COS show, an incident that later led to Kolb taking leave and apologising for his actions. He has now announced his resignation after 20 years with the CFDA.</p><h2>Steven Kolb resigns from CFDA</h2><p>Steven Kolb has stepped down as president and CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), days after he became the focus of controversy following an incident involving PETA protesters at New York Fashion Week.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/nyfw-protest-turns-physical-as-steven-kolb-restrains-peta-activist-later-apologises-for-intervention-1789404021846"><strong>NYFW protest turns physical as Steven Kolb restrains PETA activist, later apologises for intervention</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>He announced his resignation on his Substack, stating, "“After 20 years leading the CFDA, I have made the difficult decision to step down as CEO and president,” Kolb said in a statement. “I am enormously proud of what we have built together and believe this is the right moment for both me and the organization to begin a new chapter.”</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/daayra-box-office-collection-kareena-kapoor-and-prithviraj-sukumaran-s-crime-thriller-earns-this-much-on-day-1-1789794316509"><strong>Daayra box office collection: Kareena Kapoor and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s crime thriller earns THIS much on day 1</strong></a><br><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260919/image-1789804005808.JPG"></p><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260919/image-1789804015359.JPG"></figure><p>He further wrote, "What I am most proud of is the impact we have had on American designers—supporting creativity and helping businesses grow. None of this was the work of one person. I am deeply grateful to our CFDA members and to the designers, Board members, staff, partners and supporters with whom I have had the privilege of working. I am especially grateful to the four chairs I served alongside—Stan Herman, Diane von Furstenberg, Tom Ford and Thom Browne—for their leadership, partnership and friendship."</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/johnny-depp-enters-sculpture-world-with-the-bunnyman-inspired-by-childhood-memory-1789741556398"><strong>Johnny Depp enters sculpture world inspired by childhood memory</strong></a><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>“Leaving after twenty years is deeply emotional, but I do so proud of what we accomplished together and confident in the CFDA’s future. It has been one of the great privileges of my life to serve this community,” Steven Kolb stated.</p><h2>What was the controversy of NYFW and Steven Kolb all about?</h2><p>The controversy began on September 13 during COS' Spring/Summer 2027 runway show in New York. PETA activists disrupted the event to protest the use of wool, with demonstrators entering the runway area and raising objections to the material used in fashion.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/never-say-never-kendall-jenner-reacts-to-cara-delevingne-dating-and-hook-up-rumours-1789741363419"><strong>'Never say never': Kendall Jenner on dating Cara Delevingne and hook-up rumours</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Video footage from the event showed Kolb physically intervening with two protesters. In one instance, he restrained a protester on the floor, while another part of the footage showed him pushing another demonstrator. The footage circulated widely online and drew criticism.</p>

Steven Kolb has stepped down as CFDA president and CEO following a confrontation with PETA protesters during New York Fashion Week. Read to know more. 

New York Fashion Week recently grabbed headlines for more than just its runway shows and celebrity appearances. The event was overshadowed by a confrontation involving CFDA chief Steven Kolb, and PETA protesters at the COS show, an incident that later led to Kolb taking leave and apologising for his actions. He has now announced his resignation after 20 years with the CFDA. Steven Kolb resigns from CFDA Steven Kolb has stepped down as president and CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), days after he became the focus of controversy following an incident involving PETA protesters at New York Fashion Week. Also Read: NYFW protest turns physical as Steven Kolb restrains PETA activist, later apologises for intervention He announced his resignation on his Substack, stating, "“After 20 years leading the CFDA, I have made the difficult decision to step down as CEO and president,” Kolb said in a statement. “I am enormously proud of what we have built together and believe this is the right moment for both me and the organization to begin a new chapter.” Also Read: Daayra box office collection: Kareena Kapoor and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s crime thriller earns THIS much on day 1 He further wrote, "What I am most proud of is the impact we have had on American designers—supporting creativity and helping businesses grow. None of this was the work of one person. I am deeply grateful to our CFDA members and to the designers, Board members, staff, partners and supporters with whom I have had the privilege of working. I am especially grateful to the four chairs I served alongside—Stan Herman, Diane von Furstenberg, Tom Ford and Thom Browne—for their leadership, partnership and friendship." Also Read: Johnny Depp enters sculpture world inspired by childhood memory “Leaving after twenty years is deeply emotional, but I do so proud of what we accomplished together and confident in the CFDA’s future. It has been one of the great privileges of my life to serve this community,” Steven Kolb stated. What was the controversy of NYFW and Steven Kolb all about? The controversy began on September 13 during COS' Spring/Summer 2027 runway show in New York. PETA activists disrupted the event to protest the use of wool, with demonstrators entering the runway area and raising objections to the material used in fashion. Also Read: 'Never say never': Kendall Jenner on dating Cara Delevingne and hook-up rumours Video footage from the event showed Kolb physically intervening with two protesters. In one instance, he restrained a protester on the floor, while another part of the footage showed him pushing another demonstrator. The footage circulated widely online and drew criticism.

<p>Steven Kolb has stepped down as CFDA president and CEO following a confrontation with PETA protesters during New York Fashion Week. Read to know more.&nbsp;</p>

NYFW incident: Steven Kolb steps down from CFDA days after clash with PETA protestors

<p>New York Fashion Week has begun, bringing designers, celebrities and fashion insiders together for another season of runway shows. However, one show took an unexpected turn when PETA protesters disrupted the COS runway over the use of wool. CFDA chief, Steven Kolb, intervened during the protest and was seen physically restraining activists, later apologising for his actions.</p><h2>What happened at the COS show?</h2><p>The COS runway show at New York Fashion Week was disrupted by a protest over the fashion industry's use of wool, with the situation escalating after Steven Kolb physically intervened with demonstrators. Several PETA activists disrupted the presentation, carrying messages about alleged mistreatment of sheep and calling for wool to be removed from the runway.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/meghan-markle-shares-first-glimpse-of-family-life-with-prince-harry-and-children-in-uk-1789359837738"><strong>Meghan Markle shares first glimpse of family life with Prince Harry and children in UK</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Videos from the event showed Council of Fashion Designers of America’s CEO and president, Steven Kolb, approaching the protesters and physically intervening. In one sequence, he appeared to restrain a female activist on the floor using his legs while attempting to stop the disruption. He was also seen confronting and pushing another protester before security personnel removed the activists from the venue. Peta also shared the video on their official Instagram page with a lengthy caption, calling out the event.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/the-early-spring-viral-drink-want-a-taste-of-luke-s-osmanthus-milk-here-s-how-to-make-it-1789022436259"><strong>The Early Spring viral drink: Want a taste of Luke's osmanthus milk? Here's how</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Shortly after the incident, one of the protesters, Mason Melito, told <i>CNN</i> he had been unaware of who Kolb was until after he was ejected from the show.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>But the runway presentation continued during the disruptions, with models continuing to walk while the protest unfolded in front of guests. Celebrities including Sharon Stone, Michelle Williams and Lupita Nyong’o were among those attending the show. Following the criticism, Kolb acknowledged that he had handled the situation inappropriately.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/80s-vintage-glamour-is-back-from-kiara-advani-to-piyush-goyal-here-s-how-to-recreate-the-viral-trend-1788954493151"><strong>’80s vintage glamour is back: Here’s how to recreate the viral trend</strong></a></p><h2>Steven Kolb apologises over NYFW chaos</h2><p>In a statement shared on Instagram, Steven Kolb said he should have allowed the security team to deal with the protesters rather than intervening himself. “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." Currently, Steven Kolb has made his official Instagram account private.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/king-harald-s-funeral-prince-william-volodymyr-zelensky-in-oslo-to-pay-final-tribute-1788952090726"><strong>King Harald's funeral: Prince William, Zelensky in Oslo to pay final tribute</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>As per <i>PEOPLE's</i> report, the CFDA shared a similar statement about the incident. "Mr Kolb acknowledged fully that he responded inappropriately in the moment and that the matter should have been handled by security,” the statement read. “The CFDA agrees that these disruptions should be handled by the security professionals in place.”</p>

CFDA chief Steven Kolb apologised after physically restraining PETA protesters who disrupted a COS show at New York Fashion Week. Read to know more.

New York Fashion Week has begun, bringing designers, celebrities and fashion insiders together for another season of runway shows. However, one show took an unexpected turn when PETA protesters disrupted the COS runway over the use of wool. CFDA chief, Steven Kolb, intervened during the protest and was seen physically restraining activists, later apologising for his actions. What happened at the COS show? The COS runway show at New York Fashion Week was disrupted by a protest over the fashion industry's use of wool, with the situation escalating after Steven Kolb physically intervened with demonstrators. Several PETA activists disrupted the presentation, carrying messages about alleged mistreatment of sheep and calling for wool to be removed from the runway. Also Read: Meghan Markle shares first glimpse of family life with Prince Harry and children in UK Videos from the event showed Council of Fashion Designers of America’s CEO and president, Steven Kolb, approaching the protesters and physically intervening. In one sequence, he appeared to restrain a female activist on the floor using his legs while attempting to stop the disruption. He was also seen confronting and pushing another protester before security personnel removed the activists from the venue. Peta also shared the video on their official Instagram page with a lengthy caption, calling out the event. Also Read: The Early Spring viral drink: Want a taste of Luke's osmanthus milk? Here's how Shortly after the incident, one of the protesters, Mason Melito, told CNN he had been unaware of who Kolb was until after he was ejected from the show.

<p>CFDA chief Steven Kolb apologised after physically restraining PETA protesters who disrupted a COS show at New York Fashion Week. Read to know more.</p>

NYFW protest turns physical as Steven Kolb restrains PETA activist, later apologises for intervention

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NYFW incident: Steven Kolb steps down from CFDA days after clash with PETA protestors

NYFW protest turns physical as Steven Kolb restrains PETA activist