Story perspectives

CFDA Puts Steven Kolb on Leave After Restraint

By Drooid · Sep 18, 2026, 10:21 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Kolb restrains activists

Steven Kolb, president of Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), restrained two PETA activists on COS runway September 13, 2026.
The CFDA placed Kolb on voluntary leave pending a full review.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) filed a police report seeking criminal charges.
PETA urged H&M Group and COS to ban wool from collections.
PETA cited a video alleging cruelty at an African wool farm linked to H&M.

Summary

Reddit fuels virality

Reddit’s r/vegan community posted the restraint video, which earned over 600 upvotes and dozens of comments.
Commenters debated Kolb’s motives, labeling his actions effective or accusing him of provoking outrage.
The video spread to Instagram, X and Fashionista, generating viral attention beyond fashion circles.
Celebrities Sharon Stone and Lupita Nyong’o attended the show, adding extra media focus.

History

Historical Context

In 1994 PETA’s 1,200-person protest at Ralph Lauren’s New York fur runway forced the designer to suspend the collection after weeks of campaigning. The action built on PETA’s anti-fur strategy, which led Ralph Lauren to abandon fur in 2006 and prompted other houses to drop fur. The September 2026 COS runway clash with CFDA president Steven Kolb shows the pressure persists.

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Kolb restrains activists

Steven Kolb, president of Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), restrained two PETA activists on COS runway September 13, 2026.
The CFDA placed Kolb on voluntary leave pending a full review.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) filed a police report seeking criminal charges.
PETA urged H&M Group and COS to ban wool from collections.
PETA cited a video alleging cruelty at an African wool farm linked to H&M.

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