'You don't seem self-conscious sitting with your legs apart': Bikini brand accused of 'slut shaming' a girl after she stopped them using her photograph wearing their products

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The owner of a swimwear brand has been accused of 'slut-shaming' a young model who took issue with the use of her photograph being used in a store.

Queensland model Stevie Alger, 19, was told on Wednesday a bikini-clad image of herself was going to be displayed at a pop-up shop on the Gold Coast.

But when Miss Alger said she didn't like the photo because she felt 'self-conscious' with the way she looked, Aquadiva Swimwear owner Allison Appleby fired back.

'So disappointed Stevie - I personally chose you because you seemed like such a nice girl. This is such a rude and immature way to treat us,' Ms Appleby wrote in the private message, which was shared publicly on Instagram.

'You don't seem to be self conscious in your latest post with the way you are portraying your self image - sitting with your legs so far apart!

'It seems like you are just like a lot of other Insta girls - so fake. From Allison.'

Queensland model Stevie Alger (pictured) took issue with the use of her photograph being used after a swimwear designer informed her they were going to display her image in a shop

Private messages via Instagram between Miss Alger and Aquadiva were published publicly

Shocked by her response, Miss Alger responded: 'Oh wow that is by far one of the meanest and rudest messages I've ever received.

'I think it's fair for every girl to feel self conscious from time to time...'

Aquadiva swimwear owner Allison Appleby (pictured) fired back after the young model said she didn't like the photo of herself that was taken for the bikini brand

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Ms Appleby defended her comments, saying: 'She doesn't seem to be the self-conscious girl she's portraying herself to everyone on Instagram. 

'When I asked her what she didn't like about the photo, she just left me hanging for 10 minutes.'

However, Ms Appleby said she just wanted to set the record straight by telling her side of the story after she received backlash for her remarks.

'I feel so sick to the stomach about it. I have apologised to Stevie twice now but she has not accepted my apology,' a devastated Ms Appleby said.

'What can I say? I've been in the business for 30 years, what I did was wrong. I was so distraught with what happened. I was horrible to her. It was very out of character.

'She got one nasty b***h slap from me and now I'm getting hate mail from people who don't know the full story. 

'I've had people call me a a cow and a pig. They don't know me, it's unfair but I have to own up. I'm ashamed of it. If I could take it back, I would.'

The young Queensland model has more than 40,000 followers on Instagram

The Gold Coast designer also voiced her concerns about her family business after her private messages were shared on Instagram by Miss Alger's boyfriend, who has since deleted the posts.

'I'm scared that this has put my family business into jeopardy. I'm completely new to all of this [social media],' she said.

'I didn't even know there was a term [slut-shame] for it. I'm not completely savvy with all the technology young people use these days.

'The power of Insta influencers is very terrifying. How they can tear down family businesses in a matter of hours... it's not healthy for any of us.'

The model was told a bikini-clad image of herself was going to be displayed at a pop-up shop

The young model took issue with the use of her photograph being used in the pop-up shop

The business owner also said Miss Alger was paid for the photoshoot on the condition she would 'promote' the swimwear brand on her Instagram.

'Stevie who is in her early 20's and very articulate agreed to be paid by us to model,' Ms Appleby claimed.

'She understood that we would need to use those images and she also promised to promote for us. She only did it once since last September so I guess we didn't get much help there.

'She wasn't even following us when I contacted her yesterday so she couldn't even acknowledge the gorgeous post which at the time included a tag and mention to her. Not even a like from her.

Another point Ms Appleby wanted to bring up was the 'job prospects of start-out models'.

'Unless a model is outrageously gifted the chance of getting paid work will usually pivot on how much Insta influence they can bring to a brand,' she said.

'This precludes so many beautiful kids and must make them feel rejected and hopeless. Unless they have the magic "following" they have no chance.'

The Queensland model has more than 43,000 followers on Instagram

And it wasn't the first time Miss Alger - who has more than 43,000 followers on Instagram - was the face for Aquadiva.

'We have only ever made Stevie our goddess and portrayed her as beautiful. She probably hasn't noticed that she has been our Facebook banner girl for months now either,' Ms Appleby said. 

'It's a really similar image and she didn't complain about that? The only reason that we think she didn't want that stunning photo up in our shop was because she didn't think our brand was cool enough any more. 

'All she had to say to me yesterday was that she was aligned with another brand and that she couldn't be linked with us any more. Other girls have had this happen and we have respected their needs.'

Miss Alger declined to comment when contacted, but told Daily Mail Australia the message exchange was 'completely shocking and horrible'. 

'I absolutely think what she said and how she has handled herself is wrong in so many ways, but I think it will be best to end it here to hopefully move on,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 

'I'm a huge believer in standing up to bullies and I'm lucky to have [boyfriend] by my side to help me. I'm very happy that at least we made a point and hopefully she will never treat someone like that again.

'I think it'll be best to leave her to deal with her issues herself now. I'm happy that at least we made a point and it gained enough traction to gain attention.'