US Traitors merch taken offline after Scottish designer claims NBC 'copied' design worn by Alan Cumming

A major US entertainment company has removed several items of Traitors merchandise from its online store after a Scottish fashion designer accused it of copying one of her designs worn by Alan Cumming on the US version of the show.

Siobhan Mackenzie, whose designs have been worn by stars including Justin Bieber, Richard Rankin and Outlander’s Harriet Slater, hit out at NBCUniversal after copies of a garment created for the Scottish host were being sold in its online shop.

She claimed the company had reproduced and adapted the design of a sweater vest emblazoned with the word “Murrrder”, worn by Cumming on the programme, without her consent.

The Black Isle designer, who has created several outfits for the UK and UK version of the reality programme, said the garment was created for the Scottish actor and was purchased as a “standard retail transaction” before its appearance on the show.

Scotland's Alan Cumming has hosted the US version of The Traitors since 2023 | Peacock

However, since then several items being sold on NBCUniversal’s online merchandise store appeared to copy the design, including items listed as “best sellers”.

They include hoodies, vest tops, t-shirts, caps and a drinking class all printed with the word “Murrrder”.

The merchandise , which has now been removed from the store, was being sold for prices up to $50.

She accused the conglomerate of “unauthorised use” of her work, which she claimed amounted to a copyright infringement.

Ms Mackenzie said her attempts to resolve the issue with NBCUniversal had not been addressed | Getty

Ms Mackenzie, who is famed for her contemporary take on Scotland’s tartans and was selected to design the official tartan for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games later this year, said she had tried to resolve the matter “discreetly and professionally” with the company to no avail.

She said: “I have never sold, licensed, or granted permission to NBCUniversal, or any affiliated company to reproduce, adapt or commercially exploit my designs.”

She added: “This situation is deeply upsetting as a designer.

“Seeing a global media conglomerate profit from the unauthorised reproduction of a small independent designer’s work is profoundly disturbing and undermines the basic principles of creative ownership.”

NBCUniversal was approached for comment but did not respond.

Ms Mackenzie designed a full tartan outfit for Mr Cumming for the fourth season of The Traitors US, which launched in January.

She also designed the outfit worn by finalist Jade Scott in the latest UK season of the show.

A number of Outlander stars including Jamie Roy and Harriet Slater have also worn her designs for red carpet appearances.

The US version of the hugely popular show fills the castle with celebrities, most of whom have found fame as reality television stars across the Atlantic.

Cumming won the 2025 Creative Arts Emmy for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program for his role on the programme.

The Traitors US is filmed at Ardross Castle, the same venue where the UK version is made. The pile was originally used as a hunting lodge for the 1st Duke of Sutherland in the late 1700s.

In the 1880s, the lodge was redesigned as a castle in the period’s baronial style. Nowadays, it is also used as a wedding and conference venue.