Steven Kolb is departing his role as CEO at the Council of Fashion Designers of America after a viral confrontation with PETA protesters during New York Fashion Week.
The CFDA announced Kolb's departure in an Instagram post on Sept. 18, days after videos emerged appearing to show the longtime CEO grabbing and restraining protesters who disrupted the COS runway show on Sept. 13. Kolb was subsequently placed on leave after acknowledging that he "reacted inappropriately" to the demonstration.
"Steven Kolb has been a dedicated leader and tireless champion of American fashion throughout his more than two decades at the CFDA, including fifteen years as CEO," the CFDA said on Instagram.
"We respect Steven’s decision to step down and are grateful for his
many years of leadership and service to the CFDA and our industry," the statement continued. "He leaves the organization well positioned, with a clear mission and dedicated team, to carry out the important work ahead as we look to the future of American fashion."
Kolb was placed on leave after PETA protest
Kolb's departure follows a confrontation at COS' Sept. 13 New York Fashion Week show, where PETA supporters repeatedly interrupted the runway to protest the brand's use of wool. Sharon Stone, John Boyega, Michelle Williams, Lupita Nyong'o and Dominic Sessa were among those in attendance.
Videos from the event later circulated appeared to show Kolb physically intervening as protesters were removed. PETA subsequently accused Kolb of assaulting two of its supporters, alleging that he restrained one protester on the floor and covered her mouth and nose and grabbed another who was recording the demonstration.
The animal rights organization said it planned to file a police report and pursue criminal charges.
"Today's actions show how top people in fashion use violence to silence people who expose how sheep are beaten, bloodied, and violently killed for scarves and sweaters," PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk said in a statement to USA TODAY. "PETA is calling on H&M and COS to ban wool from its collections and is urging everyone to shop elsewhere until they do."
Kolb addressed his actions in a Sept. 13 statement to WWD.
"I reacted inappropriately to an incident at a show earlier today," Kolb said. "It wasn’t my place to do so. I should have let the security team handle the situation."
Contributing: Anika Reed, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: CFDA CEO Steven Kolb exits after viral clash with PETA protesters at NYFW
