Katy Perry’s shoe collection has been removed from stores, amid claims that they featured a blackface design.
The collection of sandals and loafers were withdrawn from stores including Walmart after people complained against the design of a face with large red lips.
Perry said via Entertainment Tonight, that she was “saddened” by the withdrawal, ‘The Rue and The Ora were part of a collection that was released last summer in nine different colourways (black, blue, gold, graphite, lead, nude, pink, red, silver) and envisioned as a nod to modern art and surrealism.”
BLACKFACE SHOES? #KatyPerry shoes pulled from stores because of blackface similarity. Do you agree? https://t.co/z2SMxJ4SsB pic.twitter.com/ruDFbq6xAU
— 1010 WINS (@1010WINS) February 11, 2019
‘I was saddened when it was brought to my attention that it was being compared to painful images reminiscent of blackface. Our intention was never to inflict any pain. We have immediately removed them.”
A spokesperson on behalf of the Katy Perry Collection said to TMZ, “In order to be respectful and sensitive the team is in the process of pulling the shoes.”
According to the NME, the shoes received criticism for allegedly featuring the racist image of a red-lipped “Sambo”.
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