What is the Bath & Body Works Snowed In candles controversy? KKK hoods scandal triggers official apology

Retail store chain Bath & Body Works has recently apologized for a candle called 'Snowed In' that reportedly resembled the design of Ku Klux Klan hoods. Notably, the Ku Klux Klan is a hate group active in the US, the group is notorious for its white supremacist ideology and violent history.

The similarities between the candle design and the Ku Klux Klan hoods were pointed out by netizens on social media ever since the pictures of Bath & Body Works' candle appeared on their official website.

In response to the controversy, a Bath & Body Works spokesperson shared a statement with People magazine on October 14, 2024. The company apologized for the oversight and explained:

"At Bath and 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. We apologize to anyone we've offended and are swiftly working to have this item removed and are evaluating our process going forward."

Bath & Body Works is known for its scented candles. It was launched back in 1990 and its locations have expanded to more than 1,000 places over the years.

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Bath & Body Works' new candle criticized for its design

As mentioned, the company's 'Snowed In' candle became a subject of criticism after many claimed that its design was similar to the robes and hoods of the Ku Klux Klan. A screenshot of the product photo was posted on the company's subreddit where people expressed criticism over the imagery.

Interesting Design byu/SkyOk6341 inbathandbodyworks

A Reddit user 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."

According to CNN, the controversial candle was posted for sale on eBay despite being taken down from the official website. It was priced at $350 and as per the latest update, the product has been already sold.

(Images via Reddit/r/bathandbodyworks)

A major reason for comparing the outer design of the candle to Ku Klux Klan's hoods was because the 'paper snowflakes' shown in the design looked like masks with cutouts for the eyes.

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Bath & Body Works was involved in a similar trouble in the past

Back in February 2022, Bath & Body Works launched a new product line as part of the Black History Month celebration. The packaging was inspired by traditional African art and they collaborated with the National Urban League for the products, as per the Daytona Beach News-Journal.

However, the products were not well-received by the public. Assistant professor of history at Bethune-Cookman University, Winifred Johnson, described the products as an example of cultural appropriation. In conversation with Daytona Beach News-Journal, Johnson said that the brand could have sponsored the 'African or African-American' artists and their products as part of its Black History Month campaign and argued:

“A genuine effort to 'promote economic empowerment' would be to sponsor genuine African or African-American artists in their packaging or advertisements, or better yet to sponsor actual African or African American artisans by selling or advertising their own products — oils, candles, lotions and textiles in Bath & Body Works stores or website."

Bath & Body Works told the Daytona Beach News-Journal that the brand is "committed to improving our culture through diversity, equity and inclusion efforts". The brand expressed support for organizations battling against racism and inequality and shared that the company has donated $500,000 to the National Urban League and Columbus Urban League as a token of support.