Katy Perry called out for 'blackface' shoes

Katy Perry is caught up in a blackface row over a pair of shoes from her footwear range that have been slammed as offensive.

Two pairs from her eponymous line, Katy Perry Collections, are said to depict blackface features.

The “Rue Face Slip On Loafers” and “Ora Face Block Heel Sandal” both feature faces on a black leather.

And as a result, many have called out the 34-year-old singer-turned-designer on Twitter.

The styles have since been pulled from US retail stores Dillards and Walmart.

The backlash isn’t without warning, as Katy was already criticised for the shoes when she first shared a design on Instagram in August 2018.

At the time, the shoes were called “disrespectful” and “racist”, with many mentioning the “blackface” connotations.

Katy has since apologised for the offending shoes, issuing a joint statement together with Global Brands Group to PEOPLE.

“The Rue and The Ora were part of a collection that was released last summer in nine different colourways (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.”

Katy Perry’s line isn’t the first fashion label to face controversy for blackface.

Recently, luxury fashion house Gucci was called out for a balaclava sweater which, according to commentators, resembles blackface.

Gucci has since released an apology in an official statement circulated on Twitter.

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