The British perfumer Jo Malone has said she is “surprised and very sad” after being sued for more than £200,000 in damages over fragrances she created for the fashion chain Zara.
The case was brought by Estée Lauder Companies, the New York-based multinational that owns brands including M.A.C, Bobbi Brown, Estée Lauder and Jo Malone London. The company claims that Malone infringed trademarks by using her name on the Zara collaboration.
The legal action became public last month, when it emerged that Estée Lauder Companies was taking steps against the fragrance entrepreneur. According to the company, the dispute centres on a long-standing naming agreement, which it says has been breached.
Malone, whose name is closely associated with the Jo Malone London fragrance brand owned by Estée Lauder, created the perfumes for Zara as part of a collaboration with the fashion retailer. The complaint alleges that this use of her name on the products goes against the terms of the arrangement.
The dispute places one of Britain’s best-known fragrance figures in conflict with the company that owns the name under which she became internationally recognised. Estée Lauder Companies has said the issue is one of trademark infringement, while Malone has expressed personal distress at the legal move.
Further details of the case have not been made public in the source material, and the matter remains ongoing.
