In news we can’t imagine River Island would approve of, it’s been claimed that pop star Rihanna continued to request free clothes from high street giant Topshop, while she was suing them for using her image.

The Stay singer filed a suit against Sir Philip Green’s UK firm last year, after Topshop stores put a tank top with Rihanna’s image on them on sale.

Rihanna’s legal team claimed that the unauthorised use of her image jeopardised her fans “emotional connection to their heroine”, and went on to seek $5 million in damamges.

The image in question was from a picture taken of Rihanna on the set of her We Found Love video, filmed in Northern Ireland in 2011.

Rihanna is suing Topshop for using her image on this shirt

The case has taken another twist this week though, as in the first day of proceedings on Friday, a barrister representing Topshop claimed in court that Rihanna's stylists solicited the firm for clothing on "ten recent occasions," with six of the instances occurring after Rihanna filed suit against the company.

According to The Daily Mail, the barrister said; "Rihanna's own shopping habits provide compelling evidence of Topshop's reputation in fashion wear. [There are] ten recent occasions on which her representatives have contacted Topshop asking for products for her to wear."

Rihanna, who did not appear in court for the case, is currently fronting a design collection with River Island which has been renewed for another season.