Converse is apologizing after one of its latest sneaker advertisements sparked major backlash online.
The controversial image was part of a campaign promoting the brand’s Chuck 70 X sneakers and featured K-pop star Karina of aespa.
In the photo, critics said the lighting around Karina’s clothing created a shape that resembled the pointed hood associated with the Ku Klux Klan. Others said the way a pair of black sneakers appeared to hang in the image reminded them of photographs associated with the racist history of lynching in America.
The criticism quickly spread across social media, with people questioning how the advertisement made it through the company’s approval process.
Converse eventually removed the image and issued an apology.
“We’re sorry. We understand why this image is deeply upsetting and recognize that we got this wrong,” the company said.
Converse also said it was working to remove the image from everywhere it appeared and acknowledged that the advertisement “should not have happened.”
The controversy has once again raised questions about diversity behind the scenes at major companies and whether enough people with different cultural perspectives are involved when advertising campaigns are created and approved.