A supermodel is wigging out after she says she was duped into doing an advertising campaign for a hair care company.
In papers filed in Manhattan Federal Court, Ginta Lapina - one of the highest-paid models in the country - says she fell victim to the hare-brained scheme in July of last year.
That's when she jetted off to Paris for what she was told was a photo shoot by Karl Lagerfeld that would illustrate an interview with him for a story called the 'Schwarzkopf Look 2014 Trends.'
Because it was for an advertorial, the leggy Latvian lovely was paid for her time for the shoot, but not for the use of her image, the suit says.
But Schwarzkopf was apparently very happy with the pictures, and decided to use it for its marketing and advertising worldwide, the suit says. The company struck a deal with Ginta's modeling company, Women, allowing it go ahead with its plan - without Ginta's knowledge or authorization, the suit says.
It says Women went along with the scheme to keep its client happy.
'In sum, Defendants conspired to obtain a top model for an advertising campaign without having to pay the usual and customary compensation that a top model commands,' the suit says.
Ginta's suit said the deal has 'diluted' her brand, because 'Schwarzkopf products and look of advertisement are not of the caliber normally endorsed by a model of plaintiff Ginta's stature in the industry,' the suit says.
Typically, the suit says, models of Ginta's 'caliber and renown are solicited for advertising campaign by clients 'willing to pay a model a high-six figure sum.''
It notes she's previously done ads for the likes of Anna Sui, Diet Coke, DKNY and Jill Stuart.
She's looking for over $1 million in damages - and a court order barring from Schwarkopf from using her pics.
Women CEO Sergio Leccese said he was 'surprised and disappointed' by the suit.
'We deny any and all allegations of wrongdoing and intend to seek all appropriate remedies in connection with these issues,' he said in a statement.
Schwarzkopf did not immediately return a call for comment.
Ginta burst onto the modeling scene in 2008 at the New York Fashion show. The suit says industry website models.com recently ranked her No. 27 in its list of 50 high earners.
The 25-year-old is married to businessman Adam Hock, 49.
Hock famously punched out Grace Kelly's grandson and three others during a dustup at a Meatpacking District nightclub in 2012. He later copped a plea to disorderly conduct.
dgregorian@nydailynews.com
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