On Sept. 3, 2026, popular shoe brand Converse released an ad promoting their Chuck 70 X sneaker line featuring prominent K-Pop star Karina from the group Aespa. The ad featured the lower half of a person wearing a white garment holding a pair of black Converse shoes, with critics likening the piece of clothing to a Ku Klux Klan (KKK) robe.
In other comments, critics cited how the lighting on the shoes makes it appear as if someone was suspended in the air, hanging. Additionally, the shadows create the silhouette of a long, tapering triangle, with many critics comparing the appearance to KKK robes.
Following online discourse, Converse removed the ad from social media on Sept. 8, 2026. In a statement to CBS news, Converse wrote, “We’re sorry. 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.”
Social justice photographer Stephanie Schwartz wrote in a social media post that “Every photographer can tell you, whoever did this ad knew EXACTLY what they were doing.” As the event has gained traction, many online commenters wrote that they can very clearly see the alleged racist imagery, with others debating that they do not.
This incident mirrors another controversy in August. The wide-spread retailer, Target, removed a children’s Halloween costume over criticism saying the outfit evoked minstrel imagery. In a statement, Target apologized for the incident, writing, “As a company, we know we got this wrong, and we are deeply sorry.”
Corporations being offensive, whether intentional or not, is not a rare occurrence. In an interview with NPR, culture reporter Hannah Jones said, “I think another reason [this happens] is, a lot of times, the teams who are coming up with this advertising don’t have people of color on the teams or at least people of color who can have a strong, influential role on the campaigns that come out.”
Civil rights attorney Lee Merritt writes, “We keep having this conversation because corporations keep failing the same test,” Adding, “Do better means catching this before it airs — not after we’re offended.”
There have been numerous instances of online discourse about whether or not the ad was accidental. Even considering that, it is still important to recognize the genuine effects these mistakes can have on audiences and consumers. These moments highlight the very critical need for global brands to implement rigorous cross-cultural review and centralized oversight on creative and marketing assets before total publication.
