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Shoppers in disbelief after discovering what Shein originally used to be

Shoppers in disbelief after discovering what Shein originally used to be

The fast-fashion brand first launched as a very specific retailer

It's hardly a rarity to see fast-fashion retailer Shein in the headlines for its controversial antics.

If you're not an avid customer of the online clothing supermarket - famed for its ethically-questionable antics - allow us to catch you up.

The Gen-Z favoured business is one of the quickest-growing apparel brands on the planet, and is known for being involved in various trademark disputes and class action lawsuits.

Just two days ago, the fashion business found itself in hot water after a customer claimed she'd made a rather unusual find inside one of her latest purchase.

Known by her TikTok handle @emperkyxxxx, the woman showed the outside of a faux leather purse before opening it up, discovering that its cardboard lining.

She allegedly discovered that the lining of her crocodile print wallet had been made out of a bright orange COVID-19 testing kit.

And just weeks earlier, the accessory giant revealed it had launched an investigation after a woman found a ‘vial of blood’ in her order.

23-year-old Anna Elliot from Tennessee was ‘left in tears’ over the discovery due to having a ‘life-long major phobia’ of blood.

"At first I was trying not to panic because I thought maybe it was a joke or maybe they had fake blood vials for Halloween and somehow it ended up in my bag," she said in a TikTok video.

A woman has revealed her purse was made of a 'surprise' item. (TikTok/@emperkyxxxx)
A woman has revealed her purse was made of a 'surprise' item. (TikTok/@emperkyxxxx)

Today, however, the retailer has found itself the subject of discussion once again - this time, for an entirely reason.

That's because a hoard of online shoppers have only just discovered that when Shein first launched all the way back in 2011, it was advertised as a specific type of retailer entirely, focussing on the sale of one particular product.

According to tech site Not Boring, when Chinese CEO Chris Xu first founded the firm - back when it was actually called Sheinside - the site branded itself as a 'wedding dress company' which also sold various other pieces of women's clothing.

The retailer previously sold wedding dresses. (CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP via Getty Images)
The retailer previously sold wedding dresses. (CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP via Getty Images)

And by the sounds of things, the news has come as a shock for various online shoppers.

"Obsessed with the idea of buying your wedding dress on shein," one penned on social media this week.

Another went on: "my very intrusive thought is to buy a wedding dress off shein just to see what would happen"

"imagine a mom in 20 years passes down a shein wedding dress to her kid," a third teased.

Another jibed: "Just saw a wedding dress on Shein, they really sell everything huh"

Featured Image Credit: CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP via Getty Images/Davide Bonaldo/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Topics: Shopping, Money, Fashion