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American footwear brand Converse has apologised and pulled an advert after the image drew Ku Klux Klan (KKK) comparison in a shock move.
The popular brand posted an ad for its Chuck 70 X trainer which showed the K-pop star Karina, from the girl group aespa wearing a white skirt holding a pair of the shoes by her side.
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What was shown in the now-removed image?
The photo, posted to the company's Instagram account, received backlash online after critics described lighting in the image as looking like a white pointed hood, which is linked to the American white supremacist hate group.
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Moreover, the shoes dangling in the pictures were also likened to an image of a lynching victim by social media users.
Converse issue apology after the internet slams the brand over new advert
In an apology, first issued on Friday, Converse said the photo had been removed from its social media channels and it was working to remove it elsewhere.
"This should not have happened and we will do better," it said.
"We're sorry. We understand why this image is deeply upsetting and recognize that we got this wrong," the statement further read.
The photo was part of a campaign promoting its Chuck 70 X trainer, launched internationally on August 27.
Notable names called out Converse over the advert
The apology came after the post led to widespread backlash from social media users.
American civil right lawyer and activist Lee Merritt, on X penned, "A Converse ad shows a woman wearing white attire lit to form what looks like a KKK hood. Sneakers dangling beside her, read by many as lynching imagery."
"An apology doesn't undo what got past legal, marketing, and leadership at every step. We keep having this conversation because corporations keep failing the same test. Do better means catching this before it airs — not after we're offended."
Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter also slammed the brand, asking, "What the hell were you thinking?"
He continued, "Your campaign shows what looks like a hooded Klansman, framed by what appears to be the dangling feet of a lynching victim. There is nothing creative or artistic about it. It is racist, reckless and deeply offensive."
About Converse
Founded in Massachusetts in the early 1900s, the popularity of Converse has skyrocketed since its Chuck Taylor sneaker was first introduced to US basketball courts in 1917.
The global brand has been a subsidiary of Nike since 2003.
