A NUMBER OF retailers in the US have followed in the footsteps of those behind Katy Perry’s fashion line and pulled two particular shoe designs following some online criticism.
Ok Katy Perry explain these shoes SMH #blackface #KatyPerry #gucci #gucciblackface #boycott pic.twitter.com/j0dswNOSoH
— ChantillyCoco (@ChantillyCoco) February 11, 2019
After members of the public took exception to the Rue Face Slip On Loafers and Ora Face Block Heel Sandals, the website removed the designs, and some high street retailers who carry the collection did the same.
The shoes, which have been criticised for their resemblance to racist imagery, feature large blue eyes and red lips against a beige, gold or black background.
The latter has been compared to blackface by some social media users.
Katy Perry Collections, which launched in 2017, is the latest line to be accused of creating designs which feature racist connotations.
Last week, Gucci apologised for the backlash which surrounded one of their €890 designs – a black balaclava turtleneck with a red cut-out mouth – and subsequently removed the design from their line.
The news that the Katy Perry Collections designs were criticised and subsequently removed from the line has been met with a mixed response.
Some social media users have expressed disillusionment and consider the outrage disproportionate while others have questioned the motives of fashion lines who create potentially problematic designs.
Umm... I’m black and I never would have thought “blackface” upon looking at these shoes. There goes that selective outrage again...
— Zeek Arkham (@ZeekArkham) February 12, 2019
I'm completely against blackface, but this ain't it.
— Sunnyinthesky (@serendipilee) February 12, 2019
I'm convinced that noone mentioned these shoes because they didn't know they existed. She brought these up all on her own for attention.
— Tasha Mac (@TashaMac3) February 12, 2019
This is a publicity stunt for Katy Perry's shoe line. Nobody would ever buy these butt ugly things. They were created solely to create a fake controversy and get free brand awareness.
— wooga (@thewooga) February 12, 2019
at this point it’s starting to feel like a horrible stunt for attention
— marlena 🕊 (@venicebaabe) February 12, 2019
Black is a standard color for a shoe. It's just a shoe with a face on it. With blue eyes, btw. It's just an ugly shoe. People are over-analyzing.
— Kundi Kat (@Tis_Miss_Kat) February 12, 2019
Oh come on...comparing a pair of shoes to blackface is ridiculous...I agree that they should be pulled from shelves though...because they're hideous.
— Jenn (@jennifaros) February 11, 2019
Ignorance is Never A fashion statement! Apology NOT accepted😡#blackface #Gucci #gucciblackface #prada #moncler #katyPerry pic.twitter.com/KDCnkzGlgA
— Kieren Boyce (@ThatGyrlKieren) February 10, 2019
The two designs from Katy Perry’s line retailed at $129.
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