Steven Kolb has officially resigned from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) after a scandal that saw him tackling PETA protesters at a New York Fashion Week show on Sunday.
“After twenty years leading the CFDA, I have made the difficult decision to step down as CEO and President,” Kolb wrote in a statement published via Substack on Friday.
Kolb noted that he “believe[s] this is the right moment for both [him] and the organization to begin a new chapter.”
The fashion industry titan went on to highlight the organization’s expansion and accomplishments under his leadership.
“What I am most proud of is the impact we have had on American designers — supporting creativity and helping businesses grow,” he wrote, noting that “none of this was the work of one person.”
He expressed his gratitude to CFDA members, designers, staff and beyond, calling it a “privilege” to work with them. He also called out Chairs Diane von Furstenberg, Tom Ford, Thom Browne and Stan Herman “for their leadership, partnership and friendship.”
Kolb called stepping away after two decades “deeply emotional,” but noted he’s “proud” of what was accomplished under his stewardship and is “confident in the CFDA’s future.”
The organization’s board of directors responded with a statement, also on Friday, praising the former CEO and president for being a “dedicated leader and tireless champion of American fashion.”
The statement emphasized the their “respect” for Kolb’s decision to step down and that they “are grateful for his many years of leadership and service to the CFDA and our industry.”
The CFDA’s board of directors concluded their statement by emphasizing that with a “clear mission and dedicated team,” the organization will “carry out the important work ahead.”
The dramatic exit comes just days after Kolb lashed out at PETA protesters storming the runway at a COS Spring 2027 Fashion Week event in chaotic footage from the event captioned by Fashionista.
As the protesters took to the runway and sang out chants about banning wool from the industry, Kolb is seen in the footage snatching signs and covering the mouth of PETA campaigner Mason Melito while backing him into a corner. “We’re not doing this,” Kolb says.
Footage from the dramatic encounter also shows Kolb grabbing another protester, covering her mouth and pulling her to the ground as he restrained her by her wrists and pinned her down with his leg.
Melito, meanwhile, told The Post the protesters involved intended to file charges. “She felt like she was being suffocated,” Melito said of the female protester seen in footage.
“She’s using her body to speak up for the sheep that have no say whatsoever. She is now at urgent care.”
A-listers including “Brokeback Mountain” star Michelle Williams were in attendance during the wild scene.
A rep for COS’s parent company, H&M, told Page Six on Wednesday they’d be looking into the altercation.
“The incident at the show should have been prevented from escalating and that is why we are investigating what happened with the teams involved,” the company said in a statement.
Kolb addressed the incident on Monday, announcing a “voluntary” leave of absence in an Instagram Stories post.
“What happened was completely out of character for me, both personally and as a leader,” he wrote, admitting that he understood “the reaction they have generated” when viewing the footage himself.
Kolb apologized, saying he “inappropriately restrained” the campaigners and said he takes “full responsibility” for his actions.
He added, “I have accepted an invitation from PETA to meet and discuss their concerns, and I hope to have the opportunity to apologize in person to the two individuals who did not deserve that treatment.”
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