It\u2019s the summer of the big brand apology<\/a>, and Converse just had its turn at the wheel.<\/p>\n The Nike-owned brand stirred up some social media users with a pair of ads they said recalled Klan imagery.\u00a0<\/p>\n The first ad raised ire after it was posted on Converse\u2019s Threads account<\/a> on Sept. 3 showcasing its recently-released Chuck 70 X sneaker. The creative featured Converse\u2019s new global ambassador, Karina from the Kpop group aespa\u2014currently on a world tour.<\/p>\n Karina stands in a spotlight shaped like Converse\u2019s famous star, one point highlighting a bright white triangle on her skirt, such that some social media users see the outline of a Klansman\u2019s hood. Additionally, Karina\u2019s long skirt, coupled with the shoes dangling from her hands, evoke for some the image of a Klansman standing next to the victim of a lynching.\u00a0<\/p>\n Actress Yvette Nicole Brown wrote on Threads<\/a>: \u201cThat\u2019s a lynching, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n The brand apologized in a statement first reported by Women\u2019s Wear Daily<\/a>, and sent to ADWEEK: \u201cWe\u2019re 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. This should not have happened, and we will do better.\u201d<\/p>\n Converse did not comment beyond this statement.<\/p>\n The controversy over the Chuck 70 X ad has also drawn a separate Converse ad into the online rage machine. This ad, previously released on Sept. 14<\/a>, is for a collab with Danish lifestyle brand Palmes and features a man on a ladder holding a pair of sneakers overhead.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fitness content creator Kida Maree posted both ads<\/a> side by side and wrote, \u201cThere is NO REASON why WE should see an advertisement & immediately think of Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday.\u201d<\/p>\n To be sure, others on social media feel the outrage is overblown. Culture writer Meecham Whitson Meriweather on Threads <\/a>compared it to the backlash that led to Pepsi\u2019s July apology for its Wild Cherry<\/a> post: \u201ceveryone is insane.\u201d<\/p>\n Meriweather noted the caption posted under the ad featuring Karina that read: \u201cUnder stage lights or streetlights, the star always finds the frame.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike the caption tells you what is happening, what is being referenced,\u201d Meriweather wrote. \u201cY\u2019all don\u2019t know how to talk about art and that\u2019s the problem.\u201d<\/p>\n Converse isn\u2019t the only brand that\u2019s gone on a recent apology tour.<\/p>\n Besides Pepsi, Neutrogena acknowledged old allegations from late actress Hayden Panettiere<\/a>; Target offered its mea culpa after releasing an offensive Halloween costume<\/a>; and Callaway Golf CEO Chip Brewer repudiated an ad featuring a collab with Good Good Golf, in which Good Good\u2019s cofounder Garrett Clark bodyslammed<\/a> colleague Alexis Miestowski.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static-www.adweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/converse-karina-2026.jpg?w=683\")
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