Estee Lauder Companies bought Malone’s self-named perfume brand, and the rights to use her name, in 1999. Malone left the company in 2006 and launched a new fragrance ​label, “Jo Loves”, in 2011.

The company said the use of “Jo Malone” on the packaging ​of “Jo Loves” fragrances sold by Zara formed the basis of the lawsuit, ⁠which was filed in a British court on Wednesday. Malone had agreed with the US ​company to not use the “Jo Malone” name in certain commercial contexts, including the marketing of ​fragrances, a company Spokesperson said in a statement.

“Ms Malone’s use of the name “Jo Malone” in connection with recent commercial ventures goes beyond that legal agreement and undermines Jo Malone London’s unique brand equity,” the ​Spokesperson added, referring to the company’s agreement with Malone.