Converse Issues Apology After Controversial Ad Sparks Outrage

WHO:

TMZ - Converse, K-pop star Karina, social media users, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

WWD - Converse, K-pop star Karina, Aespa, users on Threads

The Washington Post - Social media users

WHAT:

The Washington Post - Critics noted that the lighting on Karina's skirt created a white triangle shape that resembled a KKK hood, while the shoes appeared to look like two dangling legs.

WWD - The image featuring Karina was shared on the brand’s Threads account, which still had the controversial image at the time of reporting.

WWD - The Converse x Palmes campaign for the Jack Purcell PDM sneaker collection was released earlier in the month, and included an image of a man climbing a ladder while holding shoes dangling from a tree, which also drew criticism.

TMZ - The ad featuring Karina was part of Converse's global Chuck 70 X campaign.

WWD - The controversial image still remained on the brand’s Threads account at the time of reporting.

WWD - In a separate image from the Converse x Palmes campaign, a man was depicted climbing a ladder while holding shoes dangling from a tree, which also drew criticism.

WWD - The Converse x Palmes campaign for the Jack Purcell PDM sneaker collection was released earlier in the month.

The Washington Post - Critics noted that the imagery in the ad evoked a Ku Klux Klan member’s pointed hood and the dangling feet of a lynching victim.

WWD - The ad featuring Karina was part of the Chuck 70 X and Run Star Crush sneaker campaigns.

WWD - The controversial image still remained on the brand’s Threads account at the time of reporting.

The Washington Post - In 2026, there have been 10 reported hangings of Black people across the country, prompting calls for investigation from Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and 59 colleagues.

TMZ - Converse issued an apology and pulled a controversial ad after it was compared to the Ku Klux Klan and lynching.

WWD - Converse stated, “We’re sorry. We understand why this image is deeply upsetting and recognize that we got this wrong. We removed it from our channels and are working to remove it everywhere it appeared.”

WWD - The controversial ad featured Karina holding two shoes, which some users felt resembled a KKK hood and dangling legs.

WWD - In a separate image from the Converse x Palmes campaign, a man was depicted climbing a ladder while holding shoes dangling from a tree, which also drew criticism.

WHERE:

WWD - The controversial ad was shared on Converse's channels and specifically mentioned on the brand’s Threads account and the Converse Malaysia Instagram account.

WHEN:

WWD - The Converse x Palmes campaign for the Jack Purcell PDM sneaker collection was released earlier in the month.

WWD - In 2026, there have been 10 reported hangings of Black people across the country.

WHY:

The Washington Post - Users expressed that the imagery was "abhorrent," "unfathomable," and "repugnant," linking it to historical racial terror and intimidation.

WWD - Users expressed that the imagery was "abhorrent," "unfathomable," and "repugnant," linking it to historical racial terror and intimidation.

The Washington Post - Critics compared the imagery in the ad to the Ku Klux Klan and lynching due to its visual elements.

WWD - Users expressed that the imagery was abhorrent and repugnant, linking it to historical racial terror and intimidation.

HOW:

WWD - Converse stated, “This should not have happened, and we will do better.”

WWD - Converse is working to remove the controversial image from all platforms where it appeared.

(UPDATED September 19, 2026 19:57 UTC)

The Converse x Palmes campaign for the Jack Purcell PDM sneaker collection has come under fire for controversial imagery, including a photo of Karina that critics say resembles a KKK hood and shoes that look like dangling legs. Users have described the imagery as "abhorrent," "unfathomable," and "repugnant," connecting it to historical racial terror and intimidation. In response to the backlash, Converse acknowledged the issue, stating, “This should not have happened, and we will do better.”

(UPDATED September 19, 2026 16:57 UTC)

Converse is facing backlash over a controversial image from its Chuck 70 X campaign featuring Karina, which remains on the brand’s Threads account despite the criticism. Users have described the imagery as "abhorrent," "unfathomable," and "repugnant," connecting it to historical racial terror and intimidation. In response to the uproar, Converse is actively working to remove the controversial image from all platforms where it has appeared.

(UPDATED September 19, 2026 07:57 UTC)

A new ad featuring Karina as part of the Chuck 70 X and Run Star Crush sneaker campaigns has sparked significant controversy due to its imagery, which critics say resembles a Ku Klux Klan member’s pointed hood and the feet of a lynching victim. Users have described the imagery as "abhorrent," "unfathomable," and "repugnant," connecting it to a painful history of racial terror and intimidation, especially in light of the ten reported hangings of Black individuals across the country this year. At the time of reporting, the controversial image was still visible on the brand’s Threads account, prompting calls for investigation from Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and 59 of her colleagues.

(UPDATED September 18, 2026 23:00 UTC)

Converse has issued an apology and pulled a controversial ad featuring K-pop star Karina after it was compared to the Ku Klux Klan and lynching. The ad, which showed Karina holding two shoes that some users felt resembled a KKK hood, has drawn significant criticism, prompting Converse to acknowledge the distress it caused and commit to removing the image from all platforms. The company stated, “We’re sorry. We understand why this image is deeply upsetting and recognize that we got this wrong,” as they work to address the backlash.