Katy Perry comes under fire for releasing shoes that resemble blackface

Tone deaf?

Less than a week after Gucci pulled a blackface sweater from its shelves, Katy Perry’s eponymous shoe line has found itself in hot water under similar circumstances.

According to reports, the brand’s Rue Face Slip On Loafers and Ora Face Block Heel Sandals are being pulled from stores after complaints they resembled blackface.

The shoes (which were originally released in nine colours) feature a face made from blue eyes, a triangular nose and bright red lips. The internet was quick to point out the problematic black colourway, which you can check out below:

Ok Katy Perry explain these shoes SMH #blackface #KatyPerry #gucci #gucciblackface #boycott pic.twitter.com/j0dswNOSoH

— ChantillyCoco (@ChantillyCoco) February 11, 2019

Katy Perry and her brand management group, Global Brands, have since responded to TMZ on the controversy.

“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.”

Apparently, the shoes were originally ‘envisioned as a nod to modern art and surrealism’.

Check out the reaction via Twitter below.

Ignorance is Never A fashion statement! Apology NOT accepted?#blackface #Gucci #gucciblackface #prada #moncler #katyPerry pic.twitter.com/KDCnkzGlgA

— Kieren Boyce (@ThatGyrlKieren) February 10, 2019

How does this keep happening with supposedly ‘luxury’ brands? No-one at Gucci clocked the similarity between the racist imagery of their $890 blackface jumper and Prada’s keychain – the latter of which was pulled from stores less than two months ago? Or do they just not care? pic.twitter.com/pNxTbuJeXV

— Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff (@CharlieBCuff) February 7, 2019