Bath and Body Works’ Candle Design Is Compared to Ku Klux Klan Hoods, Sparks Controversy

Bath and Body Works has issued an apology for their candle design that some say looks like Ku Klux Klan hoods. 

The holiday candle “Snowed In” is being pulled from stores after critics argued it was “offensive” and clearly resembled the hate group’s white robes and hoods. In a statement shared with PEOPLE, a spokesperson for the company said the design was “unintentional” and that they are working to have each product completely removed from shelves in stores and online. 

“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,” a spokesperson for the company said. 

“We apologize to anyone we’ve offended and are swiftly working to have this item removed and are evaluating our process going forward,” the statement concluded.

Critics turned to the Bath and Body Works subreddit to share their opinions on the controversial design before it was removed. 

“If Bath and Body Works is smart, this candle is going to be pulled off the site real soon. Did no one look at these before sending them out?” one person questioned. 

Another wrote, “Out of all the ‘paper snowflake’ designs to go with, they go with this one? I’ve made a lot of paper snowflakes as a kid and none of them ever had two eye holes in the point.”

Users on X were equally as outraged, with one person implying that the designer of this candle should be “fired.”

“I want to know who came up with that concept and have they been fired.. highly offensive,” the comment read. 

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The Ku Klux Klan is the “oldest and most infamous of American hate groups” that was formed following the Civil War in 1865, per the Southern Poverty Law Center. The group used extreme violence and inflicted terror against Black Americans to uphold their racist white supremacist agenda. 

According to the Anti-Defamation League, the “the image of a hooded Klansman has become a popular hate symbol itself” that white supremacists “around the world” still put on public display, including on clothing and tattoos.