Estée Lauder Sues Jo Malone and Zara Over Perfume Collaboration Using Designer's Name

Estée Lauder Cos. Inc. has initiated legal action against Jo Malone and the fashion retailer Zara in a New York federal court. The lawsuit centers on a limited-edition perfume collaboration between Jo Malone and Zara, which Estée Lauder claims violates trademark rights and a prior agreement.

The collaboration, launched in select Zara stores, features products bearing the Jo Malone name. Estée Lauder, which owns the Jo Malone London brand acquired in 1999, argues that the use of Malone's name without permission constitutes infringement. The company seeks an injunction to halt sales of the products and damages for alleged harm to its brand.

Jo Malone, the designer who founded the brand before its sale, is named as a defendant alongside Zara.

the Dispute Jo Malone CBE founded Jo Malone London in 1994 and sold it to Estée Lauder in 1999 while retaining certain rights to use her name in personal endeavors.

The lawsuit alleges that the Zara collaboration breaches these terms by commercializing her name in the fragrance sector. Zara, part of the Inditex group, described the project as a one-time creative partnership with Malone. Estée Lauder stated that the action protects its intellectual property investments in the Jo Malone brand, which generates significant revenue annually.

The perfumes in question were released in Europe and the UK in late 2023, priced between 30 and 60 euros.

“I hope sense will prevail in this matter.”

" — Jo Malone, October 2024 (BBC News) Zara has not publicly commented on the lawsuit beyond confirming the collaboration's nature. Estée Lauder emphasized in court filings that the dispute involves clear contractual obligations dating back to the 1999 acquisition. U.S.

District Court for the Southern District of New York. Legal experts note that such celebrity endorsement disputes often hinge on the scope of retained naming rights post-acquisition.