Katy Perry and her eponymous shoe line, Katy Perry Collections, are taking heat for two designs that appear to resemble blackface. TMZ reports that the two styles, the "Rue Face Slip On Loafers" and "Ora Face Block Heel Sandals," are being pulled from stores due to the backlash.
"In order to be respectful and sensitive, the team is in the process of pulling the shoes," a source told the publication.
The loafers come in two colourways, neutral and black, and the high-heeled version in gold and black. Both designs feature blue eyes, a triangular nose, and bright red lips.
The controversy comes less than a week after Gucci pulled and apologised for a sweater featuring similar bright red lips.
Katy Perry herself has been accused of cultural appropriation in the past: She wore her hair in cornrows for the music video "This Is How We Do" and dressed like a geisha during a 2013 American Music Awards performance.
Katy Perry Collections told Cosmopolitan UK:
The Rue and The Ora were part of a collection that was released last summer in 9 different colorways (black, blue, gold, graphite, lead, nude, pink, red, silver) and envisioned as a nod to modern art and surrealism. 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 from the website.
I'm Cosmopolitan's Associate Fashion Editor and write about any and all trends, major celeb fashion moments, and why wide-leg jeans are basically the best. I originally moved to New York City to audition for RENT, only to find out that the play closed 10 years ago.
