Dramatic moment fashion boss grabs protester on runway, holds her down and covers her mouth as he’s placed on leave

THIS is the shocking moment a top fashion boss reportedly tackles a protester to the ground in the middle of a major runway show. Dramatic footage shows the CEO wrapping one leg around the screaming woman while clamping a hand over her face at New York Fashion week. Kolb snatched the woman’s side – before allegedly shoving her to the floor Credit: PETA/ X Videos shows the CEO grabbing the woman, crumpling her protest sign Credit: peta Models continued to strut along the runway as the woman lay pinned to the floor Credit: peta He also wrapped his leg around her to pin her to the ground Credit: peta The bizarre brawl unfolded on Sunday after activists from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) stormed onto the catwalk. Shouting and waving signs, the pair screamed “get wool off the runway now” as top models sashayed past them at Swedish brand COS’s Fall-Winter 2026 show. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! But their efforts were thwarted by Steven Kolb, the CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), who allegedly jumped in and manhandled the pair. Wrapping both arms around one protestor, he dragged her to the floor while a second clip shows him grabbing a male protestors face to stop him shouting. In a statement following the runway ruckus, PETA accused Kolb of “assaulting” their members. Top fashion honcho Kolb later apologised for his “inappropriate” actions. He has agreed to meet and apologise to the PETA protestors who did not “deserve that treatment”. “I am deeply sorry and hold myself accountable,” the fashion chief wrote on Instagram shortly after the catwalk chaos. Most read in The Sun PETA activists disrupted the fashion show to protest the use of wool in clothing Credit: Reuters Dramatic footage shows the top fashion honcho clamping his mouth over the activist Credit: peta He insisted that the extraordinary outburst was “out of character” and admitted there was “no justification for physically restraining another person”. The top boss has taken leave, effective immediately, and will reportedly be seeking professional help. PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk said: “Today’s actions show how top people in fashion use violence to silence people who expose how sheep are… killed for scarfs and sweaters. “PETA is calling on H&M and COS to ban wool from its collections and is urging everyone to shop elsewhere until they do.” Animal rights prptestor Mason Melito, 22, told CNN that the “violence the CEO of the CFDA showed toward us… completely mirrors the violence inherent in the wool industry”. PETA claimed the pair were filing for criminal charges against Kolb – but Melito said they are “just considering our options right now.” He added: “What we really want to do is talk to Mr. Kolb.” CFDA organises New York Fashion Week and hosts the awards ceremony dubbed the “Oscars of Fashion”. Last year, the association banned animal fur at New York Fashion week. Comment now