Everything you need to know about the controversial Converse ad that was pulled
Sneaker brand Converse has admitted that its latest ad campaign had landed badly - with the image recalling a traumatic time in the American psyche, a time of the Ku Klux Klan and public lynching. The footwear giant has since pulled the advert from its Instagram account. The offensive image showed a pair of shoes dangling beneath a lighting arrangement that critics said resembled a pointed white…
Converse, the sneaker brand, has admitted that its recent ad campaign has been highly controversial, with the image drawing comparisons to a painful period in American history – the Ku Klux Klan and public lynchings. The company has since pulled the ad from its Instagram account. The offensive image featured a pair of shoes hanging beneath a lighting setup that critics likened to a pointed white hood. Some viewers also drew parallels between the suspended trainers and photographs of lynching victims.
The American brand expressed regret, stating, "We're sorry. We understand why this image is deeply upsetting and recognise that we got this wrong." They added, "This should not have happened and we will do better." The problematic photograph was part of a campaign for the Chuck 70 X trainer, launched globally on August 27. South Korean singer Karina, a member of the K-pop group Aespa, is featured in other images promoting the shoe.
Converse, established in Massachusetts at the turn of the 20th century, became a popular choice on the basketball courts in 1917. The company is currently owned by Nike.
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