Bath & Body Works candle's

When Candles Go KKK: Bath & Body Works’ Winter Blunder!

Bath & Body Works' festive 'Snowed In' candle gets the boot after a hilariously awkward design blunder!

In a holiday season that's typically filled with warm scents and cozy gatherings, Bath & Body Works accidentally created a winter-themed fiasco with their latest candle, ‘Snowed In.’ The festive candle was intended to evoke images of snowflakes and winter wonder, but instead, its design sparked outrage online, with many users likening it to Ku Klux Klan hoods. What began as a charming addition to their holiday collection turned into a rather embarrassing public relations mishap.

The controversy erupted when social media users quickly dubbed the candle the ‘Klandle,’ as they pointed out how the candle’s design—a folded snowflake image—uncannily resembled the notorious hoods worn by the racist organization. Bath & Body Works swiftly responded, pouring out apologies and pulling the offending item from their shelves. They expressed their regret, stating, “We apologize to anyone we’ve offended,” which sounds a bit like a classic case of being too cozy in the wrong company.

So, how does a holiday candle inspire such a stir? Well, in the world of product design, things can sometimes go awry, especially when the concept of ‘winter warmth’ meets the unfortunate connotations of historical imagery. Designers likely meant for the candle to be a delightful nod to winter aesthetics; instead, it turned out to be a lesson in cultural sensitivity and the importance of great attention to detail. One can only imagine the flurry of emails flying back and forth at Bath & Body Works in the aftermath of this design disaster!

In a lighter note, who knew that a simple candle could light the way to an important discussion on design ethics? But speaking of candles, did you know that scented candles have been used for centuries, with ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Romans creating their versions using animal fat or beeswax? And as it turns out, the tallest candle ever produced was a whopping 21.5 meters (70 feet) high, making it perfect for the holiday season—unless, of course, it looks like the Klan!

As we snuggle up in the cozy season, let’s remember that while the scents might be soothing, staying aware of our history, especially during the holidays, is essential. Hopefully, Bath & Body Works will think twice before rolling out any more festive designs, lest we end up with another ‘Klandle’ situation that might ruin our peppermint mocha vibe!