Steven Kolb, the CEO and president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), was caught on video grabbing a PETA protester and covering her mouth during a New York Fashion Week runway show on Sunday. The incident occurred when the protester was demonstrating against the use of wool by the fashion brand COS, which was featured in the event. In the video, Kolb is seen pulling the protester aside, using his leg to restrain her, and covering her mouth. The CFDA and Kolb have not yet responded to requests for comment. PETA released a statement saying that two of its protesters were "assaulted" by Kolb. According to PETA, Kolb allegedly "violently grabbed one protester, held her to the floor, wrapped a leg around her, and covered her mouth and nose with his hands as she shouted, 'Sheep bloodied and beaten for wool.'" The group also claimed that Kolb "shoved and grabbed a second PETA member who was filming the protest and covered his face with his hand." This second incident was not visible in the video that was released. Moira Colley, PETA’s senior director of media relations, told NBC News in an email that Kolb "reacted aggressively to peaceful protesters," which she said supports PETA’s argument that the fashion industry is often "unthinkingly violent." Colley added that Kolb may have apologized for his behavior and that PETA is considering meeting with him to show him footage from their 17 exposés on the wool industry. These videos show sheep being injured for wool, with the hope that it will make Kolb and others in the industry reconsider their stance. The CFDA, which is the leading trade organization for the American fashion industry, announced last year that beginning with the September 2026 New York Fashion Week, animal fur will no longer be allowed at any of the events. However, the announcement did not mention a ban on wool. Meanwhile, H&M Group, the parent company of COS, previously stated its goal to ensure that by the end of 2025, all wool used in its products would come from certified responsible sources, be recycled, or be replaced with sustainable, non-animal fibers. Kolb had previously expressed the CFDA’s hope to "inspire American designers to think more deeply about the fashion industry’s impact on animals." He noted that consumers are increasingly moving away from products linked to animal cruelty and emphasized the need for American fashion to lead in this area while driving innovation in materials.