Bath & Body Works has issued an apology after a candle featuring controversial packaging was brought to their attention. The candle, named “Snowed In,” was briefly available for purchase on the company’s website before being removed following public backlash.
The design featured a paper cutout meant to represent a snowflake; however, many people stated that it resembled the hoods worn by members of the Ku Klux Klan. The snowflake design had white, cone-shaped edges with two holes cut out near the center, leading to mixed reactions online.
Comments on social media highlighted the confusion and differing opinions about the design. One user remarked, “I have never seen a snowflake that looks like that,” while another added, “This wasn’t an accident.” Conversely, some defended the design, stating, “It’s just a poorly executed design – that shouldn’t have been approved,” and “This is a paper snowflake. I would not have looked at that and thought it was a racist candle.”
In response to the incident, a spokesperson for Bath & Body Works stated on Monday that the mistake was unintentional. They expressed commitment to rectifying the situation, saying, “We apologize to anyone we’ve offended and are swiftly working to have this item removed while also evaluating our process for the future.”
The situation has raised awareness about the importance of sensitivity in product design, prompting discussions on how companies can avoid similar missteps in the future.
