Converse Issues Apology for KKK-Related Imagery

258

On Friday, September 18, Converse released a statement following backlash over recently-released marketing assets for the latest iteration of their black All Star high tops, which critics compared to Ku Klux Klan and lynching imagery.

The campaign, of which the image was a part, features K-pop star Karina of the girl group aespa. In the offending image, Karina is seen standing inside a converse star wearing a white skirt similar to a Klan member’s robe. The lighting is such that it creates a long, tapered triangle on the side of the skirt reminiscent of a Klan hood, while a pair of black converse dangle at her side as if worn by a hanging body.

“Every photographer can tell you, whoever did this ad knew EXACTLY what they were doing,” wrote Stephanie Schwartz, a social justice photographer, on Threads.

“We’re sorry,” the company said in a statement to Footwear News. “We understand why this image is deeply upsetting and recognize that we got this wrong. We removed it from our channels and are working to remove it everywhere it appeared. This should not have happened, and we will do better.”

Converse haș not identified the exact team responsible for the imagery or said what steps are being taken to ensure something like this doesn’t happen again.