NEW YORK – Sharon Stone, John Boyega, Michelle Williams, Lupita Nyong’o and Dominic Sessa walk into a fashion show.
With those high-powered names involved, it could be the start of the next project to be nominated for an award. But the reality of what happened at the COS fashion show during New York Fashion Week was almost stranger than fiction; you couldn’t write a better script.
Multiple protesters for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, otherwise known as PETA, infiltrated the runway of the show in downtown Manhattan Sunday, Sept. 13. At least three people managed to make their way down nearly the entire runway (which was livestreamed on the retailer’s site), either holding a sign or yelling their protest about the brand’s use of sheep’s wool for its clothing.
“Sheep beaten and bloodied for wool, don’t buy,” read the sign held overhead by the first protester.
Stone and Boyega, who had been talking and laughing before the show began, reacted with shock and nervous laughter as security removed the protester from the runway.
“Sheep are killed! Please take sheep off the runway,” another protester yelled before multiple security guards took her off the runway as well.
As murmurs from the attendees filled the room, shouts from yet another protester on the runway emerged, and yelling continued from the apprehended protesters at times throughout the rest of the show.
Before the show’s finale even fully ended (with another protester being removed near where the models descended the stairs), the front-row stars were quickly ushered from their seats to a safer area in the building, then escorted with security to their waiting cars.
COS fashion show front row of Sharon Stone, Lupita Nyong’o see minimalistic collection
Prior to the protests, the stars in attendance looked much less bewildered and greeted each other with hugs and laughter before the start.
“Oh!” Boyega exclaimed from his seat, immediately standing up to greet Nyong’o, asking her how she’s been. “Where you been? Traveling the world?”
The two, both dressed in deep shades of gray, posed for pictures before joining their seatmates: “Tony” star Sessa, “Basic Instinct” star Stone and “Dying for Sex” star Williams, all dressed in minimalistic neutrals that matched the autumn/winter 2026 collection featured on the runway.
Boyega gently helped adjust Stone’s jacket for photos, and acting newcomer Sessa laughed as legendary actress Stone held court. Nyong’o slipped on a chic pair of oversized glasses from her purse just before the show began.
Black and navy coats with sweaters tied at the waist came down the runway, with funnel-neck outerwear and silky satin tops. Amid a sea of black, gray, navy and white, the only pop of color was an electric violet sheer long-sleeved dress and some deep plum pieces. Triangle scarves and large rectangle bags clutched under arms accessorized the looks from what may end up being one of the most talked-about shows of the season.