Steven Kolb resigned as CEO and president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America after a video showed him physically restraining two People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals protesters during a COS show at New York Fashion Week. Kolb had been placed on leave on Tuesday pending a review of the incident; in the footage he pushes a protester identified as Mason Melito and covers his mouth, and wrestles a second protester to the ground, putting his hand over her mouth. Melito told the Guardian the episode was scary and that Kolb’s behaviour was completely uncalled for. The CFDA board, whose members include Ralph Lauren, Thom Browne, Tory Burch and Michael Kors, said Kolb had been a dedicated leader during more than 20 years with the organisation and that he leaves the CFDA well positioned. Peta said the incident would not have occurred if H&M CEO Daniel Ervér had acted on Peta’s requests to address wool sourcing, and Peta staged a separate protest at London Fashion Week later in the week.
