Bath & Body Works Pulls Candle Over Design Resembling KKK Hoods

Bath & Body Works is removing a seasonal candle from its shelves after complaints that the snowflake design on its label resembled Ku Klux Klan hoods. The candle, dubbed the "Klandle" and "KKKandle" by some online, featured a white pointed snowflake with cutout holes.

The company issued an apology on Thursday: "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," they said in a statement shared with USA TODAY. "We apologize to anyone we’ve offended and are swiftly working to have this item removed and are evaluating our process going forward."

Complaints emerged mid-week after the holiday-themed candle was revealed, with critics noting the design's similarity to the hoods worn by the Ku Klux Klan. Instagram user @_scentsgalore posted, "Don’t be surprised if we do not see this one in store! Initially I did not see it but now I can’t unsee it!"

Followers were divided, with one poster arguing, "Nobody caught it because it’s a paper snowflake. People are literally looking for reasons to be outraged lol," while another said, "People claiming they can't see it are gaslighting. Its staring at you right in the face."

Diet Prada posted on Instagram, "Damn, Bath & Body Works really gave new meaning to 'White Christmas'." On X, users criticized the company's lack of diverse viewpoints, with one commenter noting, "If we noticed, I'm sure folks at the company did, too."

This is not the first time Bath & Body Works has faced insensitivity complaints. In 2021, the retailer was criticized for cultural appropriation over Black History Month products featuring Kente cloth designs.

"This was a missed opportunity to push the culture forward, instead of capitalizing like most companies do off the Black dollar," said Shyriaka ‘Shy’ Morris, founder of PEACE ARTS, at the time to The Daytona Beach News-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads: @mikesnider & mikegsnider.

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