Bath & Body Works recently launched its new collection for the upcoming season. However, things did not go right with their new "Snowed In" candles. While they were exclusive fragrance candles, it was the packaging that irked critics.
The paper-cutting image of a snowflake allegedly had a resemblance to KKK hoods. After receiving criticism for the packaging, the company withdrew their product. However, the internet is divided on whether the packaging was problematic. An X (formerly Twitter) user argued that it was merely a snowflake on the package.
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For the unversed, the Ku Klux Klan, aka KKK, is a controversial organization that allegedly includes white supremacists. Various historians have criticized the group and called them problematic.
Bath & Body Works' new candle featured a snowflake paper cutting. It had two adjacent holes in each dendrite that reportedly reminded people of the KKK hoods. A week ago, the discussions around the packaging began among netizens on several social media platforms. As a result, the company withdrew their product from their official website.
In its statement to PEOPLE, the company confirmed that it would strive to fix its mistakes. However, they also mentioned that the packaging mistake was "unintentional."
"At Bath & Body Works, 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," said the company's spokesperson.
The company further apologized and added:
"We apologize to anyone we’ve offended and are swiftly working to have this item removed and are evaluating our process going forward."
Netizens divided over Bath & Body Works' new candle
While many criticized the image on the candle package, others claimed that they could not see anything but a paper snowflake.
"Bath and Body Works has pulled its winter candle from shelves after shoppers say it replicates the KKK hood design. Am I the only one that doesn’t see it? The snowflakes are being triggered by a snowflake," wrote a Twitterati.
Another X user argued:
"LOL! It does look KKKish."
A netizen added, "I see it and saw it right away. a fool must have designed this."
One also wrote, "I mean, it looks like a Klansman, somewhat. But I wouldn’t have thought that if I hadn’t looked at your caption, though."
Many netizens also gave a third opinion and suggested the paper snowflakes on the candles looked more like aliens.
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