Key facts
- Steven Kolb resigned as CEO and President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
- Kolb's resignation follows an incident at New York Fashion Week where he physically restrained animal rights protesters.
- Kolb had been placed on leave pending a review after the altercation.
Steven Kolb has resigned as CEO and President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) following an incident at New York Fashion Week where he physically restrained two animal rights protesters. Kolb had been placed on leave pending a review after the altercation during a COS show on Sunday.
In a video of the event, Kolb was seen attempting to restrain People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) protesters who were demonstrating against the use of wool by H&M group, which owns COS. Kolb pushed one protester, identified as Mason Melito, and covered his mouth, and also wrestled a second protester to the ground. Melito described the situation as "scary" and Kolb's behavior as "completely uncalled for."
Kolb stated, "After 20 years leading the CFDA, I have made the difficult decision to step down as CEO and president. I am enormously proud of what we have built together and believe this is the right moment for both me and the organisation to begin a new chapter."
The CFDA board, which includes designers such as Ralph Lauren, Thom Browne, Tory Burch, and Michael Kors, issued a statement respecting Kolb's decision and expressing gratitude for his leadership. The organization has not yet named a successor.
A Peta USA spokesperson commented that the incident, which cost Kolb his job, would not have occurred if H&M CEO Daniel Ervér had taken action to avoid animal cruelty. Peta staged another protest at a London Fashion Week show on Thursday night.