Overview
- Video from the COS runway at New York Fashion Week showed CFDA CEO Steven Kolb grabbing protesters, covering mouths and pinning one activist as the show continued on Sunday.
- Kolb issued a public apology saying he "reacted inappropriately" and has taken a voluntary leave while the CFDA conducts a full review of the incident.
- PETA initially signaled plans to file a police report and pursue criminal charges but after consulting police and attorneys the group said it will meet with Kolb to discuss its wool investigations.
- The protesters targeted COS and H&M Group over a PETA Asia exposé that alleges abuse at a South African wool operation while H&M says it sources certified or recycled wool and has set sourcing targets.
- The episode has raised fresh questions about event security, leadership conduct and industry oversight of animal-derived materials and could pressure the CFDA and brands to change policies or procedures.