CFDA CEO Steven Kolb Placed on Leave After Assaulting PETA Protesters

Protesters are not new to Fashion Weeks. The fashion industry has long faced opposition from animal rights groups, with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) among the most prominent organizations pushing the industry to move away from animal-derived materials.

But this COS show was different. When PETA protesters stormed the runway holding signs that read, “Sheep beaten and bloodied for wool, don’t buy it,” instead of relying on security to remove the protesters, CFDA CEO Steven Kolb took matters into his own hands.

Video shows Kolb using intense physical force against the protesters, pulling one to the ground, covering her mouth with his hands, and wrapping his arms and a leg around her as onlookers continued watching the show.

Kolb later stated that he had acted "inappropriately" and has since been placed on leave. No police report has been filed.

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