In a video on Instagram, Malone said Jo Loves and Zara went “above and beyond” to make it clear that the collaboration – which began seven years ago – was “nothing to do with Jo Malone London, the company”.
“We’ve literally done as much as we possibly can,” she said.
Although the Zara collaboration was with the brand Jo Loves, Estée Lauder took issue with the use of Malone’s name on the packaging, which read: “A creation by Jo Malone CBE, founder of Jo Loves.”
Estée Lauder is suing Malone herself, Jo Loves and Zara’s UK arm for trademark infringement and breach of contract.
The BBC has approached Estée Lauder for a response. Zara declined to comment.
“I can’t stop being a person,” Malone said.
She said she was wondering why Estée Lauder was suing her now, when the collaboration with Zara was first launched in 2019.
“If it was wrong now, it would have been wrong on day one, and nobody did anything about it.
“I sold a company, I did not sell myself … those collections were created by me, the person.”
Under the terms of the 1999 deal, Malone had agreed not to use the “Jo Malone” name for commercial uses, including marketing fragrances.
Malone has previously said she regrets this.
She said in the Instagram video that she is willing to defend her position in court if necessary, but added: “I hope sense will prevail and we will find a new and different way to work in the same marketplace.”
“My integrity means a lot to me.”