(LOOTPRESS) – Bath & Body Works has issued a public apology following backlash over a controversial candle design that many customers said resembled Ku Klux Klan hoods. The candles, part of the company’s latest seasonal collection, sparked outrage on social media, with critics accusing the brand of being insensitive to racial history.
“Snowed In” featured a stylized paper snowflake on its packaging. However, many people on social media pointed out that the design closely resembled the pointed hoods and robes worn by members of the Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist group with a notorious history of violence and racism in the United States. Photos of the candles quickly spread online, leading to widespread criticism.
“We sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended by the design of our seasonal candles,” Bath & Body Works said in a statement. “It was never our intention to create a product that could be interpreted as culturally insensitive or offensive. We are taking immediate steps to remove the product from our stores and website.”
The company clarified that the design was meant to evoke winter aesthetics and holiday themes, but acknowledged the unintended resemblance. “We understand that our customers hold us to a high standard, and we deeply regret missing the mark on this product,” the statement continued.
Following the backlash, Bath & Body Works announced that it would discontinue the candles and offer refunds to any customers who had already purchased them. The company also said it would review its product design process to ensure greater cultural sensitivity in the future.
While some social media users praised the company for its swift response, others criticized the oversight, pointing to the importance of considering how products might be perceived in the broader cultural context.
The incident has reignited conversations about the responsibility of companies to be aware of the historical and cultural significance of their designs. Bath & Body Works has committed to improving its internal review process and said it would engage in further diversity and sensitivity training for its product development teams.
