Adidas pulls shackle sneakers after slavery controversy
Company cancels JS Roundhouse Mid after criticism
Adidas is canceling plans for a sneaker with a shackle-like ankle cuff that some critics say too closely resembles a symbol of slavery.
The company announced Monday that it would withdraw the JS Roundhouse Mid, made in collaboration with fashion designer Jeremy Scott.
The sneaker was supposed to be a reboot of a classic high-top sneaker with a strap across the middle. A preview was offered months ago and generated little chatter, but the company recently started promoting it on its Facebook page.
Many users left comments on the page’s bulletin board ripping the day-glo orange shackles, saying they are particularly offensive to African-Americans because they evoke imagery of slavery and prisoners on the chain gang.
Many users were calling for a boycott of the sneaker company.
In a written statement to FoxNews.com a spokeswoman for Adidas said, "The design of the JS Roundhouse Mid is nothing more than the designer Jeremy Scott's outrageous and unique take on fashion and has nothing to do with slavery. Since the shoe debuted on our Facebook page ahead of its market release in August, adidas has received both favorable and critical feedback.We apologize if people are offended by the design and we are withdrawing our plans to make them available in the marketplace."
Scott is known as one of fashion's more outrageous characters. Adidas said he is heralded for a style that is "quirky and lighthearted."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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