Rihanna Sues Philip Green's Topshop for £3.5m over 'Ugly' T-shirt

Rihanna at the Grammys - suing Philip Green out of 'principle' (Reuters)

RIHANNA is reportedly suing high street fashion store Topshop over T-shirts that have an "unflattering" photo of her on them (23/05/13).

Now, I have struggled to find an ugly picture of the 25-year-old singer who has been reported as suing Sir Philip Green's company for £3.5m, High Court papers filed through law firm Reed Smith in March show.

She says that not only did Topshop use her picture without her permission, the image they chose makes her look ugly - the photo shows her with her hair tied up in a bandanna.

"The base image of the first claimant (Rihanna) is of such an unflattering nature that it would not be approved," the papers say.

Rihanna also takes issue with the quality of the T-shirts, saying both the image and the product "would not have been authorised by the first claimant".

'Unflattering' Topshop t-shirt of Rihanna

In UK law, the copyright of a photograph is owned by the photographer, not the person in the picture. Topshop also said it was allowed to use the image as it was taken in a public place.

The singer is said to be irritated at these laws and is pushing ahead with the lawsuit out of principle, not vanity.

A source said: "RiRi says it's the principle. She believes they are taking advantage of artists, that it's just exploitation and what they are doing is wrong."

Reports go on to say Green offered Rihanna, who is estimated to be worth £35m, £3,500 in compensation, which she turned down.

Should Rihanna win the lawsuit, it would be a landmark case as, at present, there is no "right of publicity" law in the UK.

In the US, however, this law prevents the use of a person's image or name for advertising or trade without their written consent.

All this took place whilst Rihanna was currently promoting her own fashion line with Topshop rival River Island (view that here). Which makes me wonder how much foul play is connected to this action, as the two have vied for celebrities but speaking about the collection, she said: "I made a piece for everybody in my crew, we all have different body types and different tastes.

Rihanna for River Island

"Some are braver than others, but, you know, I think like that because that's how all the women in the world are. We're all different, we all like different things, we all have different occasions, different moods, different body types."

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Topshop To Launch 'Made In Britain' Capsule Collection Update

High street retail giant Topshop will launch its Made in Britain capsule collection in July (2012).

The capsule collection offers a range of winter coats, designed and produced in Britain. The range combines British tradition with modern innovations. Contemporary features include domed sleeves and leather trims.

Topshop Double Tweed Parka

Topshop has revealed its Made in Britain collection for AW12. The High street giant Topshop launches its Made in Britain capsule collection in July. Capsule collection will be available online and in retailer's flagship Oxford Circus store. 

Topshop Flagship store Oxford Circus, London

Fabrics are creatively combined to create the unique collection. The double tweed parka, for example, merges herringbone and Prince of Wales check. The range consists of stand-out winter coats in materials including virgin wool and tweed, with domed sleeves and double hemlines accompanied by hand-stitch detailing and leather trims. Designed, cut from British cloth and produced in the UK, the collection features eight styles including jacquard bomber and military coat. Made in Britain launches in two parts, four styles arriving mid-July and four in early August; available in Oxford Circus and New York stores as well as online, prices range from £125-275.

Production in the east end of London, supporting British manufacturers. The eight piece Topshop Made in Britain collection will launch in two parts, with four styles available from mid July and the following four in early August.

Prices range from £125-£275 and will be available online and at the Oxford Circus flagship.

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