Tesco stole my face to sell children’s tops, says student

A YOUNG fashion student is demanding an apology from supermarket giant Tesco after her image was used without her permission on children’s clothing being sold in its stores.

Nicola Kirkbride, a final year fashion student at Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University, said she was shocked to learn that a photograph of her face, originally posted on her own fashion blog, had been used to decorate children’s jumpers being marketed in Tesco supermarkets.

The image, which was first posted on Ms Kirkbride’s website a year ago, appears on the front of the sweater along with the words “Loves me, loves me not”.

The 22-year-old blogger, who has almost 6,000 followers, said she only learned that her image was being used by the supermarket without her permission when she got a message from one of the people following her “Nicola Claire” blog.

Ms Kirkbride, who started her blog as part of an assignment in fashion communication, said: “The blog follower who contacted me works at Tesco and said she was sure she had seen my face on a jumper at her work. I went into the local Tesco to have a look and I recognised the photo straight away.

“I had originally put the photograph in my blog in May last year.”

The fourth-year student added: “To start with I was mostly shocked and then I was flattered and then, after I thought about it, I found it all a bit strange that I didn’t know about it and might never have known about it, had this girl not told me.

“I was little bit annoyed. I feel my rights have been infringed and I would like an apology from Tesco. Nobody had contacted me from Tesco to say they wanted to use my image or anything.”

Ms Kirkbride said she did not buy the jumper, although her mother did.

The yellow, long-sleeved top features a daisy chain in the shape of a heart around Ms Kirkbride’s face with the words “Loves me, loves me not” printed beneath.

The student, who hopes to pursue a career in fashion journalism after she graduates later this year, stressed that her website clearly stated that all the artwork featured on the blog belonged to her, unless otherwise stated.

She also asked for anyone who wants to use content from the site to ask for her permission.

Ms Kirkbride, from Belhelvie in Aberdeenshire, said: “I have spoken to Tesco and they said they didn’t know how it had happened and that they were going to investigate it further and get back to me. I am looking for an apology – to say that they have done wrong – and perhaps some financial compensation.”

She said that she had already been approached about the use of her image by a leading high street fashion retailer.

“I have been approached by Zara before,” she said. “They asked me if they could use some of my images and I said yes. It is very flattering, but Zara said they would send me out a contract to sign if they decided to use my photographs and they would pay me accordingly.

“I have been pretty amazed by the response to my blog. People seem to really engage with it and get involved. I enjoyed it so much I just kept it on. I have managed to build up quite a substantial following and I really enjoyed sharing my views on fashion with similar-minded people.

“So I regularly updated it with photos of myself, which I take with a self-timer on my camera, so people can see what pieces I have been recommending.”

A Tesco spokeswoman said: “We are looking into this and we are speaking to Nicola Kirkbride.” She added: “The garment is being taken off sale until we have finished looking into this.”