Steven Kolb has run American fashion’s biggest trade group for over a decade, but this week he’s trending for something that has nothing to do with a runway trend. Here’s who he is, how he built his career, and exactly what’s confirmed about the incident that’s put his name everywhere right now.
Background
Steven Kolb is the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), the nonprofit trade group behind New York Fashion Week, the CFDA Fashion Awards, and the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. He’s held the top job since 2011 and has worked at the organization since 2006, making him one of the most recognizable behind-the-scenes power players in American fashion.
People are searching his name right now because of a physical altercation caught on camera at New York Fashion Week, which has turned a normally low-drama executive into the center of a very public controversy.
Latest Update
As of September 15, 2026, here is what’s currently known. On Sunday, September 13, animal rights activists from PETA disrupted a runway show for the brand COS during New York Fashion Week, protesting the use of wool. Video footage shows Kolb physically restraining two protesters, covering one person’s mouth, grabbing their signs, and bringing a female activist to the ground while holding her there until the show ended.
Kolb posted an apology to his personal Instagram Stories the next day, saying he “reacted inappropriately” and that it “wasn’t my place” to intervene the way he did. He later posted a longer statement saying he didn’t recognize himself in the videos, that he takes full responsibility, and that he has accepted an invitation from PETA to meet and discuss their concerns in person.
On Monday, September 14, the CFDA announced that Kolb is taking a voluntary leave from the organization while it conducts a full review of the incident. PETA has said it filed a police report and is considering pursuing charges, though a PETA campaigner involved described the group as still “considering our options” as of this writing.
Good to know: No charges have been confirmed as filed against Kolb, and the CFDA’s review has not concluded. Any claims about criminal charges, a permanent resignation, or a final outcome are unconfirmed until officially announced.
Full Profile
Family and Early Life
Steven Kolb was born and raised in Bergen County, New Jersey. He has said in interviews that he grew up wearing Ralph Lauren and didn’t originally set out to work in fashion, describing his path into the industry as something that came later in life rather than a childhood ambition.
Career Path
Kolb’s career began in nonprofit fundraising, not fashion. His first job out of college was with the American Cancer Society, and he later worked at the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA), where he raised money for HIV/AIDS research and care during the height of the crisis in New York’s Greenwich Village. He then spent time at MTV Networks International as founding executive director of its Staying Alive Foundation. He joined the CFDA in 2006 and was named CEO in 2011, going on to lead major initiatives including the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, the CFDA Fashion Incubator program, and the organization’s health and safety standards for models. He has also co-authored or contributed to several CFDA-published books, including collaborations with Diane von Furstenberg and Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom.
Age
A 2016 profile described Kolb as 54 years old at that time, which would put him around 64 today. His exact birthdate has not been independently published, so treat this age as an approximation rather than a confirmed figure.
Religion
Kolb’s religious beliefs, if any, are not publicly documented. This detail is unconfirmed.
Spouse/Partner
Kolb is married to Jay Inkpen. The two wed in 2012, with Kolb wearing rag & bone and Inkpen wearing J.Crew to their ceremony, according to Kolb’s own account in a magazine interview. He has also mentioned taking hikes with his husband, including one trip to Florida where the couple spotted an owl that sparked what Kolb has described as a personal collection of more than 1,000 owl figures, kept mainly at their home in Pennsylvania.
Net Worth
There is no independently verified net worth figure for Steven Kolb publicly available. As the CEO of a nonprofit trade association rather than a business owner, his compensation isn’t typically reported the way a corporate executive’s or celebrity’s earnings might be, so this detail stays unconfirmed rather than estimated.
Parents
The names and occupations of Kolb’s parents have not been published in any verified source. This detail is unconfirmed.
Height
No verified source lists an exact height for Kolb. He has been described in interviews as a “trim, compact man,” but that is a description, not a measurement, so this detail is unconfirmed.
Education
Kolb earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) in New Jersey, and later completed a Master’s in Public Administration at New York University. He also holds an honorary doctorate of the Arts from Kendall College of Art and Design at Ferris State University.
Hometown/State of Origin
Kolb grew up in Bergen County, New Jersey. He has clarified in interviews that reports claiming he was born in Belgium are incorrect and appear to have confused his background with that of former CFDA chair Diane von Furstenberg, who was actually born there.
Official Social Media
The most reliable place to follow official updates from Kolb’s organization is the CFDA’s official website, which also links to the CFDA’s verified Instagram and TikTok accounts. Kolb has shared personal statements, including his recent apology, through his own Instagram Stories, though CFDA.com remains the authoritative source for organizational updates.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Steven Kolb |
| Known For | CEO & President, Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) |
| Age | Approximately 64 (unconfirmed exact birthdate) |
| Hometown | Bergen County, New Jersey |
| Education | Glassboro State College (BA); New York University (MPA) |
| Spouse | Jay Inkpen (married 2012) |
| Net Worth | Not publicly available |
| Years at CFDA | Joined 2006; CEO since 2011 |
| Latest News | On voluntary leave after PETA protester altercation, Sept. 13, 2026 |
Reader Questions (FAQ)
Who is Steven Kolb?
Steven Kolb is the CEO and President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the trade group behind New York Fashion Week and the CFDA Fashion Awards. He has led the organization since 2011.
Why is Steven Kolb on leave from the CFDA?
He took a voluntary leave after being filmed physically restraining two PETA protesters at a COS runway show on September 13, 2026. The CFDA is conducting a full review of the incident.
Did Steven Kolb apologize for the PETA incident?
Yes. He posted apologies on his personal Instagram Stories, saying he “reacted inappropriately” and that he takes full responsibility for his actions. He also said he has accepted an invitation from PETA to meet and discuss their concerns.
Is Steven Kolb married?
Yes, he is married to Jay Inkpen. The couple wed in 2012.
How long has Steven Kolb worked at the CFDA?
He joined the CFDA in 2006 and was named its Chief Executive Officer in 2011, giving him roughly two decades with the organization.
Has Steven Kolb been charged with a crime over the PETA incident?
No charges have been publicly confirmed as of this writing. PETA has said it filed a police report and is weighing its options, but no formal charges have been announced.
Wrap-Up
Steven Kolb spent nearly two decades building a reputation as one of fashion’s steadiest institutional leaders, moving from nonprofit fundraising work into running the organization behind New York’s biggest fashion event. That reputation is now being tested in a very public way, following a runway incident that even Kolb himself has said doesn’t reflect who he wants to be.
What happens next depends on the CFDA’s internal review and on whether PETA moves forward with any legal action. Both remain open questions, and neither should be treated as settled until officially confirmed.
This page will be updated as the CFDA’s review, Kolb’s leave status, and any developments with PETA become clearer.
Thomas Andrew is the founder of Odubio.com, a digital platform sharing inspiring biographies, news, and stories about global icons and achievers.