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CFDA CEO Steven Kolb Resigns After PETA Restraint Incident

By Drooid · Sep 20, 2026, 10:27 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Steven Kolb Resigns

Steven Kolb resigned as CFDA CEO after restraining PETA protesters at New York Fashion Week.
The incident occurred on September 13 during the COS runway show, a brand owned by H&M Group.
Video showed Kolb pinning a female protester to the floor and covering her mouth.
Kolb posted an Instagram apology, admitting the restraint was inappropriate, and announced a voluntary leave.

Summary

Kolb Boosts CFDA Aid

Kolb oversaw the CFDA’s $14 million Fashion Manufacturing Initiative partnership by 2019.
The initiative granted aid to 54 factories, preserving over 2,000 garment-making jobs.
During his tenure, the CFDA raised roughly $5 million through the A Common Thread pandemic fund.
In 2023 the CFDA distributed $380,000 in scholarships.
By 2024 more than 70 percent of scholarship recipients came from underrepresented communities.

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Steven Kolb Resigns

Steven Kolb resigned as CFDA CEO after restraining PETA protesters at New York Fashion Week.
The incident occurred on September 13 during the COS runway show, a brand owned by H&M Group.
Video showed Kolb pinning a female protester to the floor and covering her mouth.
Kolb posted an Instagram apology, admitting the restraint was inappropriate, and announced a voluntary leave.

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