As a featured TikTok for model and design, Tamara Strzelecki is used to placing herself on the market. However she was stopped in her tracks earlier this month when one among her followers shared a picture of a Shein gown printed with what she feels resembles her profile.
Strzelecki, recognized on TikTok merely as “Tami,” first discovered about Shein’s gown on January 11. “Shocked” by the seemingly robust resemblance to her and the picture of her, she stated that she should have checked out it 10 instances. earlier than laughing. “Then she began to scare me a bit bit. I like to speak about my life usually with my TikTok, so I went on TikTok and made the video about being shocked after seeing this gown that appears like me,” Strzelecki stated.
Shein executives didn’t reply to requests for touch upon Thursday or Friday.
Whereas her on-line enterprise Sugs’ Shoppe has been operating for 15 years, it took off final yr after one among her movies of preparing for a go to to her therapist went viral, she stated. Over 1 million noticed it, appreciated its model, realized it bought on-line, and began supporting Sugs’ Shoppe. Strzelecki beforehand labored in hospice, however a chronic bout of COVID-19 in 2020 sidelined her for an prolonged interval. That led her to hitch TikTok and determine how to earn more money.
She stated she raised considerations in regards to the similarities and requested extra details about the gown’s design in two emails to Shein, however obtained no response. The stylist purchased the $20 gown to see for herself, though she had by no means purchased something quick vogue, “which isn’t my factor.” After posting one other video of herself within the Shein gown, a lawyer’s follower provided authorized help and instructed sending a stop and desist letter. Two subsequent stop and desist emails have but to be responded to, Strzelecki stated. With a small enterprise to run, she stated she solely has a lot time to push this by way of legally.
The way in which she sees it, the issue is that her brand is predicated on her likeness, her model can also be hers alone, and one thing she takes nice delight in. “Seeing another person capitalizing on my similarity made me really feel actually uncomfortable. It did not appear truthful to me,” Strzelecki stated, including that copyrights exist to guard one’s picture in her dwelling state. “A big inflow” of individuals had been “fairly impolite,” posting claims that it was nothing just like the gown, she stated. That made her think about the potential of a doppelganger, however her 2022 viral expertise of hers on TikTok makes her assume the design of hers was extra intentional.
The gown was later bought out on Shein’s web site. Having felt “actually scared at first” by the design, she stated that she is now making an attempt to not stress an excessive amount of. Acknowledging that it might be good to listen to from Shein, Strzelecki stated she’ll in all probability play with the gown extra “particularly if I have never heard from them.”
The stylist and designer has posted just a few movies of herself sporting the Shein design.
Some followers have speculated that Shein used a picture by way of AI and Strzelecki famous how Shein has confronted allegations of copyright infringement from designers previously. The 38-year-old stated her husband discovered the gown amusing, and her 7- and 9-year-old kids discovered the similarity “very cool.” She stated: “I am simply making an attempt to not be utterly overwhelmed by the entire thing. Nevertheless it’s loopy.
Having not too long ago polished up some new bag designs, the designer may also quickly be unveiling some Michigan-made rompers she’s been engaged on. The Shein controversy has induced “lots of people” to recommend Strzelecki design shirts or attire along with her likeness to promote on-line. “I have been speaking to a buddy about placing some designs collectively. I determine if Shein goes to become profitable off my face, I’d as effectively attempt to do the identical.”
