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CFDA President Steven Kolb Placed on Leave After Restraint

By Drooid · Sep 15, 2026, 11:25 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Kolb Placed on Leave

Steven Kolb, CFDA President, was placed on leave after restraining PETA protesters at a September 13, 2026 show.
Kolb apologized on Instagram, calling his actions inappropriate and saying security should have handled the protest.
PETA announced its activists will file a police report and pursue criminal charges over Kolb’s restraint.
The CFDA said it will conduct a full review of the incident, with the timeline unknown.

Summary

PETA Exposes Wool Abuse

PETA released its 17th undercover wool investigation exposing abuse at a South African farm.
The farm held NATIVA and Responsible Wool Standard certifications despite footage showing sheep being kicked.
H&M Group’s sustainability report says 91% of materials are recycled or sustainably sourced, without defining wool criteria.
The CFDA’s December fur ban bars animal fur on NYFW but explicitly excludes wool and shorn-hair products.

History

Historical Context

The U.S. Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939 first set industry-wide wool definitions, and the 2009 International Year of Natural Fibres framed the launch of the Responsible Wool Standard that year. By 2020 more than 1,200 farms worldwide followed the standard, prompting CFDA President Steven Kolb to confront PETA protesters over alleged wool abuse and press fashion councils to tighten sourcing rules.

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Kolb Placed on Leave

Steven Kolb, CFDA President, was placed on leave after restraining PETA protesters at a September 13, 2026 show.
Kolb apologized on Instagram, calling his actions inappropriate and saying security should have handled the protest.
PETA announced its activists will file a police report and pursue criminal charges over Kolb’s restraint.
The CFDA said it will conduct a full review of the incident, with the timeline unknown.

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