Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Wool Protest Turns Physical as Fashion Chief Apologizes
PETA protesters interrupted a COS fashion show in New York.
They objected to the company using wool from sheep.
Some protesters carried signs and shouted that sheep are hurt during wool production.
The fashion show continued while the protest happened.
Videos showed Steven Kolb physically trying to stop some protesters.
Security eventually removed the protesters.
Kolb said he handled the situation wrongly and should have let security take over.
The CFDA put him on leave while it reviews the incident, and PETA reported the matter to police.
PETA protesters disrupted COS’s New York Fashion Week runway show over the brand’s use of sheep wool.
Reports differed on the number of protesters, citing at least three in one account and six in another.
Steven Kolb was filmed physically intervening with protesters before security removed them from the venue.
Kolb apologized, saying he should have allowed security personnel to handle the disruption.
The CFDA placed Kolb on leave for a review, while PETA filed a police report and said it would consult lawyers.
- Who
- PETA protesters, COS, Steven Kolb, the CFDA, and security personnel were involved.
- What
- A protest against COS’s use of wool disrupted its runway show, followed by Kolb’s physical intervention with protesters.
- When
- Sunday, September 13.
- Where
- The COS show in downtown Manhattan during New York Fashion Week.
- Why
- PETA was campaigning against wool because it alleged that sheep are beaten, injured, or killed during wool production.
PETA’s Allegations
Fashion Industry Responses
Treatment of protesters
PETA’s Allegations
PETA alleged that Kolb held one protester down, covered her mouth and nose, and grabbed another protester who was recording. Videos described in the reports showed Kolb physically restraining or confronting activists.
Fashion Industry Responses
Kolb acknowledged that he intervened inappropriately and said it was not his place to do so, but his quoted statement did not address each specific allegation.
Use of wool
PETA’s Allegations
PETA opposed COS and H&M’s use of wool, citing investigations that it said showed sheep being kicked, beaten, injured, or left with cuts after shearing.
Fashion Industry Responses
H&M said it sources wool from farms certified to animal-welfare standards, including the Responsible Wool Standard and NATIVA.
Response to the disruption
PETA’s Allegations
PETA said it filed a police report, would consult lawyers, and called for H&M and COS to ban wool from their collections.
Fashion Industry Responses
Kolb said security should have handled the protesters; the CFDA placed him on leave while reviewing the incident.
- Event
- COS presentation during New York Fashion Week
- Brand ownership
- COS is owned by H&M Group
- Protest size
- Reports cited at least three protesters in one account and six in another
- Protest message
- PETA called for wool to be removed from fashion collections and displayed signs alleging sheep mistreatment
- Show outcome
- Models continued walking while the protest unfolded
- Kolb’s response
- He apologized and said he should have let security handle the situation
- CFDA action
- The CFDA placed Kolb on leave pending a review
- PETA action
- PETA filed a police report and said it would consult its lawyers
