NEW YORK – PETA plans to sit down with a leading fashion industry executive after video showed him physically restraining two animal rights protesters during a New York runway show, a confrontation that has rattled the fashion community.
Moira Colley, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ senior director of media relations in New York, said Tuesday that the organization intends to meet with Steven Kolb, the longtime chief executive of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. PETA wants to press its case for the fashion industry to stop using wool and animal skins.
Kolb has apologized for the episode, in which he forcefully held back two PETA staffers and covered their mouths with his hand. He is currently on leave from his position while the incident is investigated.
According to Colley, PETA initially intended to file a police report against Kolb. But after visiting police and consulting attorneys, the group opted instead to pursue a meeting. Kolb has agreed to meet with PETA, she said, though no date has been scheduled.
During the meeting, PETA plans to present Kolb with videos it says document the mistreatment of sheep raised for wool.
“We are willing to drop everything if we reach an understanding that benefits the animals,” Colley said in a phone interview. She noted Kolb’s prior role in helping remove fur from runway shows on the CFDA calendar and said the group hopes he will once again “do the right thing.”
Kolb did not immediately respond Tuesday to a message sent to his CFDA email address. The council is the fashion sector’s leading trade organization. Kolb has spent two decades with the group and became its CEO in 2011.
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Footage from Sunday’s Cos runway presentation, for the H&M-owned brand, spread rapidly online and attracted broad attention.
The video appears to show Kolb, a widely known and respected figure in New York fashion, restraining Andrija Barak and Mason Melito, whom PETA identified as employees.
Barak had sought to interrupt the show by shouting slogans targeting the fashion industry’s use of wool. In the footage, Kolb is seen placing his hands over her mouth and using his arms and a leg to restrain her as he attempted to allow the runway show to continue.
Separately he is seen pushing Melito and also putting his hands over his mouth.
Colley said the two were among six employees at the show. Three aimed to disrupt the runway, including Barak, and three were filming, including Melito.
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