• Home
  • Mail
  • Tumblr
  • News
  • Sports
  • Finance
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Answers
  • Groups
  • Mobile
  • More
Yahoo
    • Skip to Navigation
    • Skip to Main Content
    • Skip to Related Content
    • Mail
    Entertainment Home
    Follow Us
    • Diversity in Hollywood
    • Oscars
    • TV
    • Movies
    • Celebrity
    • Music
    • Videos
    • Movie Showtimes

    Katy Perry Apologizes for Shoe Designs from Her Namesake Label That Evoke 'Blackface'

    Colleen Kratofil
    PeopleFebruary 11, 2019
    Reblog
    Share
    Tweet
    Share
    Katy Perry Apologizes for Shoe Designs from Her Namesake Label That Evoke 'Blackface'
    View photos
    Katy Perry Apologizes for Shoe Designs That Evoke 'Blackface'

    Just weeks after Prada and Gucci came under fire for selling products that evoked racist blackface imagery, another brand is being accused of the same thing. Katy Perry Footwear, the shoe line designed by pop star Katy Perry, is being called out on social media for two its latest shoe styles.

    In a joint statement to PEOPLE Perry and Global Brands Group apologize for the brand’s "Ora Face Block Heel Sandal" and the "Rue Face Slip On Loafers" which both feature gold eyes, nose and red lips on the toe of the shoe to create a face-like depiction that some feel is strongly associated with blackface.

    View photos

    “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,” the statement begins.

    “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 katyperrycollections.com.“

    While both the closed-toe and sandal styles were available in multiple colorways, the black hue in particular has social media users in an uproar.

    View photos

    “So ashamed of you blackface shoes OMG,” wrote one Twitter user.

    “Regarding Katy Perry’s shoes; if you have to second guess whether a design is blackface/racist…it probably is,” said another Twitter user. “Reaching” or not, information is too readily accessible for this to occur. #DoBetter”

    But some believe the accusations have gone too far. “Ok listen, this is a major REACH!!!! Your shoes are not blackface! Actually reminds me of the “Wink” slides. If you have extra i will happily take a pair in both colors,” said one Twitter user.

    Both are still available to shop on Dillards.com and LordandTaylor.com.

    This news follows two big-name designers also being accused of depicting racist imagery. Gucci was called out last week for its controversial turtleneck sweater that covers half the face and features large red lips printed around a mouth cut-out.

    View photos

    In December, Prada issued a product line of cartoon characters that had a black skin tone with red lips, resembling blackface imagery.

    View photos

    Both brands issued a statements of apology and pulled their controversial product from shelves and online retailers.

    Reblog
    Share
    Tweet
    Share

    What to Read Next

    • Kylie Jenner Says Her Family Cut Her Off Financially at Age 15: 'None of My Money Is Inherited'

      People
    • Jussie Smollett reportedly cut from remaining 'Empire' episodes as attack investigation continues

      Yahoo Celebrity
    • Kim Kardashian Slams Fast Fashion Brands for Knocking Off Her Looks: 'It's Devastating to See'

      People
    • 90 Day Fiancé's Anfisa Nava Pursues Bodybuilding as Husband Serves Time in Prison

      People
    • Lady Gaga and Christian Carino End Their Engagement After Two Years Together

      Entertainment Tonight
    • USA Today Reporter Kirsten Powers Apologizes for ‘Judgmental and Condemning’ Tweets About Covington Students

      The Wrap
    • Critics call out Billy Ray Cyrus's weed photo: 'Every single person in jail right now for smoking pot should be released'

      Yahoo Celebrity
    • Buzz Aldrin Fighting Son Over Control of His Money in Nasty Family Battle

      TheBlast
    • Khloé Kardashian and Tristan Thompson: All the Signs the Couple May Be in Trouble

      People
    • Kim Kardashian Says Daughter North West, 5, Does Not Have a Boyfriend: 'Is That for Real?'

      People
    • Kim Zolciak-Biermann Says Daughter Ariana, 17, Lost 30 Lbs. After Being Body-Shamed

      People
    • Jussie Smollett investigation: 'Good Morning America' staffers had 'doubts' during interview with Robin Roberts

      AOL.com
    • Jackie O.'s Secret Service Agent Reveals How Sister Lee Radziwill Comforted Her After JFK's Death

      People
    • Jennifer Lopez Shows Off Her Insane Figure During Shopping Trip With Her Twins

      TheBlast
    • Jackie Kennedy Onassis Left Sister Lee Radziwill Out of Her Will and Never 'Set Her Up for Life'

      People
    • Kim Kardashian Wears Her Most Shocking Dress Ever as She Manages to Avoid a Nip Slip

      People

    Lindsey Graham says redirected funds for Trump border wall ‘better for school kids’ than new school

    Wes: That's because the $62m (£48m) that was earmarked for the school's construction is among the billions of dollars already appropriated to the Defence Department, the pot of money the Trump administration now wants to redirect to pay for 230 miles of barriers along the southern border as part of the president's national emergency declaration. And those Kentucky middle schoolers will be better off because of it - at least according to senator Lindsey Graham. The powerful Republican and outspoken Trump ally said that border barriers top a new school. "I would say it's better for the middle school kids in Kentucky to have a secure border," Mr Graham said on CBS News' Face the Nation. “We'll get them the school they need, but right now we've got a national emergency on our hands." What more needs to be said?

    Join the Conversation
    1 / 5

    2.1k

    • Kim Kardashian Rips Websites for Selling Knockoff Dress, Model’s Instagram Proves Kim’s Point

      TheBlast
    • 40+ national security professionals to declare the border does not meet test of an emergency

      Yahoo View
    • Meek Mill on Michael Rapaport Calling Him a 'Trash Rapper': 'Who Gave You Authorization to Be Speaking'

      Complex
    • Trump’s ‘National Emergency’ Has Already Become a Legal Nightmare

      Rolling Stone
    • John Oliver Slams Trump: ‘There is Zero Actual Emergency at the Border’

      Rolling Stone
    • Alec Baldwin: Trump's 'SNL' Attack May Be 'A Threat To My Safety'

      HuffPost
    • Divorced Couple’s Kids Say Mom Didn’t Alienate Them From Dad

      Dr Phil
    • The Bachelor's Colton Underwood Brings 1 Woman Home to Meet His Family — Then Sends Her Packing

      People
    • Caitlyn Jenner cuddles with newest grandchild after son Burt welcomes baby boy

      USA TODAY
    • Carole Radziwill Reveals Intimate Scenes from Lee Radziwill's Final Years: 'Frail but with the Same Beauty'

      People
    • Will Smith Trolls Kanye West's Kenny G V-Day Gift to Kim Kardashian: 'I'm Available Next Year!'

      People
    • 'I Love You. I've Been Shot at Work': Aurora Workplace Shooting Victim Texted Wife As He Lay Dying

      People
    • Kim Kardashian Rocks Revealing Vintage Gown!

      Entertainment Tonight Videos
    • Jessica Simpson called out for joking about her 'diet goals' in Karl Lagerfeld tribute

      Yahoo Celebrity
    • The Talk - 'The Talk' Hosts Discuss New Information in Jussie Smollett Investigation

      CBSTV Videos
    • Kim Kardashian Rips Websites for Selling Knockoff Dress, Model's Instagram Proves Kim's Point

      TheBlast