Top Fashion CEO Resigns Position of 20 Years After Wild Physical Clash with PETA Protesters

Steven Kolb resigned from his position as chief executive of the Council of Fashion Designers of America less than a week after a physical confrontation with animal rights protesters at a runway show.

Kolb announced his resignation in a Substack post. He had previously been placed on leave by the organization following a physical altercation on Sunday with protesters at a New York Fashion Week runway show in Manhattan.

Kolb could be seen on video pushing a protester away from the runway and at another point has has his hand over the protester’s mouth, preventing him from screaming. Kolb is also seen tussling with a female protester during the event, taking her to the ground and covering her mouth.

“After twenty years leading the CFDA, I have made the difficult decision to step down as CEO and President. I am enormously proud of what we have built together and believe this is the right moment for both me and the organization to begin a new chapter,” Kolb wrote in his statement.

The CFDA board also released a statement, saying, “We respect Steven’s decision to step down and are grateful for his many years of leadership and service to the C.F.D.A. and our industry.”

That board includes designers like Thom Browne, Ralph Lauren, and Michael Kors.

Kolb did not refer to the physical altercation with protesters, who it was revealed are activists with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), in his resignation statement, but he previously discussed it on his Instagram Stories where he claimed the behavior was “out of character” for him.

“What happened was completely out of character for me, both personally and as a leader. Frankly, I don’t recognize that person,” he wrote.

Moira Colley, a seniors media relations director with PETA, previously revealed that Kolb had been interested in meeting with the organization to discuss the incident and the use of animal skins and wool for clothing.

Colley said the group decided not to press charges after consulting with attorneys and speaking to the police themselves. She said she planned to show Kolb video during their meeting of sheep being mistreated while being used for their wool.

“We are willing to drop everything if we reach an understanding that benefits the animals,” she told the Associated Press.

Watch above via Fox News.

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