The range is called Madonna Nude 1979, based on the photos taken by Martin Schreiber, when Madonna was attempting to establish her career as a performer, and supported herself with jobs including nude modelling.
The underwear features Madonna's face on T-shirts. The range also features bras and underpants inscribed with her name, the letter 'M', and somewhat puzzlingly the words "just a virgin". The full range can be seen on the website and is to be sold in the UK through .
Madonna's lawyers are said to be objecting to the range because it implies that the singer endorses it -- whereas, in fact, she will make no money from it.
The Sunday Times reports that Madonna's lawyers are gathering information about the range. Her publicist Liz Rosenberg told the newspaper: "This lingerie is misleading the public because Madonna is in no way affiliated with it."
Figleaves.com has defended the range, saying that it is high-end and made of quality fabric.
"It's not something that has been produced quite cheaply with a logo slapped on it," said Diana Whitehead, communications manager for the website.
The pictures have caused headaches for Madonna before, having been used on a range of condoms that first appeared in 2001. Schreiber, who owns all rights to the pictures, has also published them in a book, which he dedicated to "Madonna and all figure models".
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