Steven Kolb, the longtime chief executive of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), announced Friday that he will be stepping down from his role, just days after he was caught on video physically restraining two protesters during a runway show in New York. Kolb, who has led the CFDA for 20 years, said in a statement that he is “enormously proud of what we have built together” and believes this is “the right moment for both me and the organization to begin a new chapter.” The incident occurred during a runway show for Cos, a clothing brand owned by the Swedish retailer H&M. Kolb was seen restraining two employees of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and covering their mouths. The event shocked many in the fashion industry, prompting calls for accountability and reflection on the role of leaders in public events. Kolb had earlier apologized for his actions and announced he would take a leave of absence from his position while an internal investigation was conducted. The CFDA praised Kolb as a “dedicated leader and tireless champion of American fashion” and expressed respect for his decision to step down. In a social media post, the organization said they are “grateful for his many years of leadership and service to the CFDA and our industry.” PETA’s senior director of media relations in New York, Moira Colley, said the group had planned to meet with Kolb to discuss ending the use of wool and animal skins in clothing. While PETA initially considered filing a police report, they decided against it after consulting with legal experts. Colley noted that Kolb had previously supported efforts to ban fur from CFDA runway shows and hoped he would continue to “do the right thing.” In the video, Kolb is seen restraining Andrija Barak, who was trying to disrupt the show by calling out slogans about the use of wool. Kolb covered her mouth with his hands and used both arms and a leg to restrain her. Separately, he was also seen pushing another protester, Mason Melito, and covering his mouth with his hands. The incident has sparked discussions about the appropriate response to protests in public events and the responsibilities of those in leadership positions.