Steven Kolb has resigned as president and chief executive of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), days after a confrontation with PETA protesters at a New York Fashion Week show.
The fashion executive announced his decision on Friday, 18 September, following a period of leave after footage of the incident spread online.
The video showed Kolb leaving his seat and physically intervening with protesters. At one point, he appeared to hold one of them to the ground and place a hand over her mouth.
In a statement published on his Substack, Kolb said: “Leaving after twenty years is deeply emotional, but I do so proud of what we accomplished together and confident in the CFDA’s future. It has been one of the great privileges of my life to serve this community.”
CFDA responds to Steven Kolb’s resignation
The CFDA said Kolb had been a “dedicated leader and tireless champion of American fashion” during more than two decades with the organisation, including 15 years as chief executive.
“We respect Steven’s decision to step down and are grateful for his many years of leadership and service to the CFDA and our industry,” the organisation said.
It added that he leaves the CFDA “well positioned, with a clear mission and dedicated team” to continue its work as it looks to the future of American fashion.
