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CFDA Chief Physically Intervenes as PETA Storms COS Runway

Protesters reporting the encounter to police have signaled possible charges after PETA Asia released allegations of abuse in a South African wool supply chain.

Overview

  • PETA activists disrupted the COS Spring 2027 show at NYFW, walking the runway with signs and chants about wool during the event on Sunday and security escorted the demonstrators out.
  • CFDA president and CEO Steven Kolb moved onto the runway and physically restrained multiple protesters, actions later described in video and eyewitness accounts.
  • Kolb issued a public apology saying he "reacted inappropriately" and should have let security handle the situation.
  • Protesters said they reported the incident to a local police precinct, are considering criminal charges, and one campaigner was reported to have sought urgent care after the encounter.
  • The protest followed a PETA Asia investigation alleging abuse at a South African wool farm that the group says links into H&M Group's supply chain, raising legal and reputational questions for CFDA, COS, and H&M as authorities and companies respond.