Manchester-based nail artist claims Shein copied her designs
Nail artist Yan Tee, who has garnered nearly 80,000 Instagram followers in response to her unique nail designs, has claimed that fast fashion giant Shein has stolen her designs.
This is not the first time the e-tailer has been accused of copying smaller, less-established designers. This time, the Chinese-owned company is selling press-on nails for as little as 75p.
Manchester-based nail designer Yan Tee was surprised to find her intricate nail designs on Shein's website. According to Yan Tee, not only did the company copy her nail art, but it also used her Instagram pictures on its website without permission.
She understands why people would buy nails from the site, due to the low cost, but believes the fashion giant should have consulted her to sell the designs, not to mention paying her appropriately.
Tee, otherwise known as @yanpaintsnails, told the BBC: "I thought it was a joke until I clicked on the link. I thought not only have they copied the design, but they've used the picture that I've taken of my clients' hands as well."
A Shein spokesperson told the BBC: "Shein respects designers and artists, and the intellectual property rights of others. When legitimate complaints are raised by valid IP rights holders, Shein promptly addresses the situation, and removes the product(s) from our site as a matter of caution while we investigate."
The self-taught 28-year-old nail artist, who typically charges about £40 for her designs, commented: "I've created this design for my client based on her personal taste so to see it literally be stolen, it feels really bad."
Tee hand paints her designs on clients' nails, natural or acrylic, whereas press-on nails are plastic and applied with glue.
Shein has since apologised and removed the designs from its website following contact by Yan Tee. However, despite Shein’s assurance that it "takes all claims of infringement seriously", she says one of the pictures has reappeared on the site.
