Bath & Body Works is facing backlash after releasing a holiday candle with a design that's being compared to "KKK" hoods, prompting the company to issue an apology and remove the product from their shelves.
The controversy began after a social media user shared a picture of the "Snowed In" candle on X and compared the snowflake design to the infamous pointed white hoods of the Ku Klux Klan.
X users are both outraged and not surprised that the retailer would do this based on the brand's reputation.
The incident follows a previous issue the public had with the brand two years ago when it released a culturally insensitive marketing campaign during Black History Month. The retailer promoted its regular products as "limited edition" by adding Ghanaian-like designs to them.
Why I'm thinking Bath and Body Works have a new fragrance and it's the same fragrance only in kente cloth colors 🥴😪 pic.twitter.com/PJpaMlNikb
— SMOOTH MELANIN (@smoothmelanin) January 29, 2022
@Cusewaterboy2 user said, "Maybe a Klandle wasn't the best idea."
Whoopsie poopsie. Maybe a Klandle wasn't the best idea 😂 https://t.co/hZf0GB9y9u
— Syracuse Braves Waterboy (@Cusewaterboy2) October 11, 2024
User @Curio_Pulse added, "Bath & Body Works removing that candle was a necessary move. How did that design even make it to shelves? This isn't just a branding mistake; it's a reminder of how sensitive cultural symbols can be. Let's hope they take this as a lesson in awareness and responsibility."
A spokesperson for Bath & Body Works addressed the concerns and said the company was working to undo the mistake, according to TMZ.
"We are committed to listening to our teams and customers and committed to fixing any mistakes we make—even those that are unintentional like this one," the unnamed spokesperson told TMZ. "We apologize to anyone we've offended and are swiftly working to have this item removed and [are] evaluating our process [going] forward."
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