Bath and Body Works apologizes for selling candles that looked like Ku Klux Klan hoods

new York
CNN
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Bath and Body Works has stopped selling a candle decorated with a winter theme that many online commenters compared to a Ku Klux Klan hood.

The candle's label, which read “Snowed In,” was decorated with a stylized paper snowflake. But many people on social media compared it to the hoods and robes worn by Klansmen. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the KKK is one of the “oldest and most notorious” hate groups in the United States. The Anti-Defamation League says the images of the KKK hood have themselves become a symbol of hate.

The candle has since been removed from Bath and Body Works' website and retail locations, with the company telling CNN in a statement that the design was “unintentional.”

“At Bath and Body Works, we are committed to listening to our teams and customers and fixing any mistakes we make – even those that are unintentional like this one,” a spokesperson said. “We apologize to anyone we offended, are working quickly to have this article removed, and are currently evaluating our process moving forward.”

Commenters on Reddit loved the choice of design, dubbing it “Klandle” or “Klan Krismas Kandle.” Some people who tried to order the candle after the controversy erupted late last week said on social media that their orders had been canceled.

However, the canceled candle has appeared on eBay and one person tried to sell the candle for $350. The company did not respond to a request for comment.

Candles are an integral part of Bath and Body Works' collection that extends beyond soaps and lotions. Every year, the retailer launches its collection of Christmas candles, which account for nearly 40% of its annual sales, according to an analyst.