An industry that has long been used to ignoring personal scandal has been rocked by the lawsuit brought by Natalie Massenet, the founder of Net-a-Porter and one of the most influential businesswomen in fashion. She claims that Erik Torstensson, her ex-partner, wasted $95 million of her fortune on properties, parties, and a covert life of drugs and escorts. She accuses him of fraud, deceit, and emotional destruction in court documents filed in Los Angeles. The accusations teach a very clear lesson for someone who is hailed as the creator of luxury e-commerce: business acumen and power do not always shield one from romantic manipulation.
Massenet’s lawsuit reads more like a diary of treachery written against opulent backgrounds than a formal court filing. The allegations are incredibly detailed, ranging from stories of escorts hired days after celebrating extremely personal milestones like a surrogate pregnancy to alleged text messages arranging drugs. In a field that depends on appearances, these disclosures are especially startling. She depicts a deliberate misuse of trust—trust that went beyond romance to include money, reputation, and public image—in addition to personal heartbreak.
Just the figures are striking. Although spending $95 million during a relationship may seem extravagant, it is remarkably comparable to the amount of money Massenet used to start fashion companies. She saw this relationship as both entrepreneurial and emotional. She maintains that she supported Torstensson’s goals as an investor and anticipated a just return. Her complaint makes it apparent that this is a demand for equity rather than a pity plea. The filings argue that “she is asking what any investor would,” phrasing the argument in terms of boardrooms rather than bedrooms.
Natalie Massenet Bio and Lawsuit Details
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Dame Natalie Massenet |
| Date of Birth | May 13, 1965 |
| Age | 60 (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Nationality | British-American |
| Occupation | Fashion Entrepreneur, Investor |
| Known For | Founder of Net-a-Porter; Co-founder of Imaginary Ventures |
| Honors | Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (2016) |
| Education | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), English Literature |
| Former Spouse | Arnaud Massenet (m. 1996–2004) |
| Former Partner | Erik Torstensson (2009–2024, relationship ended) |
| Children | Two daughters (Isabella, Ava), one son Jet (via surrogate, 2017) |
| Career Highlights | Founded Net-a-Porter (2000), Sold stake for £100m (2015), Chairman BFC, Launched Imaginary Ventures (2018) |
| Lawsuit Filed | August 2025, Los Angeles County Superior Court |
| Defendant | Erik Torstensson, Co-founder of Frame denim |
| Claims | Breach of contract, fraud, intentional deceit, emotional distress |
| Allegations | Spent $95m on properties, lifestyle, and investments based on promises; accused Torstensson of drug use, affairs, and misuse of funds |
| Connections in Case | Victoria Beckham, David Beckham, Anna Wintour (alleged social leverage) |
| Current Status | Case pending; Torstensson stepped down from Frame |
| Authentic Reference | The Daily Beast – www.thedailybeast.com |
According to fashion insiders cited in publications like Daily Mail and Air Mail, the lawsuit was long overdue. The couple had been regulars on glitzy guest lists for years, and their parties were regarded as important occasions. Invitations to a Massenet-Torstensson party were like golden tickets, Tatler once exclaimed. But rumors became more widespread behind the carefully chosen pictures. His hard-partying ways, his disappearances, and his unrelenting quest for influence were all rumored by friends. The fact that such conjecture now shows up in court documents feels like a wake-up call, not only for Massenet but also for a society that all too frequently justifies excess when it is presented in a fashionable way.
The names circling the edges of this case are what give it a wider resonance. According to the documents, David and Victoria Beckham were courted to wear Frame denim in order to increase their visibility. One member of the exclusive network Torstensson gained access to through Massenet is Anna Wintour, who is frequently referred to as fashion’s ultimate gatekeeper. These allusions demonstrate how the private and public spheres interact in luxury culture: personal networks are exploited for business benefit, and friendships serve as marketing tools. The lawsuit emphasizes how brittle these agreements can become when confidence wanes.
In terms of culture, the Natalie Massenet lawsuit comes at a time when women from a variety of industries are calling for strong men who abuse their resources and access to be held accountable. A woman who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth for her services to fashion is now pursuing justice for both her money and her dignity, which makes it an incredibly powerful symbol. Her story reflects larger social narratives about women regaining agency and voice through the legal system instead of in whispers. Many observers view her case as an example of someone refusing to be subtly erased by the excesses of another, rather than as gossip.
The financial ramifications are enormous, but the emotional toll is just as strong. Since Massenet and Torstensson have a child together, Jet, who was born through surrogacy in 2017, this is not just a money dispute but also a custody issue. “Cash-strapped” is a term that seems almost contradictory when applied to a woman who was once worth over £100 million, according to the filings. However, it demonstrates how brittle wealth is when combined with personal obligations. It also humanizes her struggle as a mother attempting to protect her child’s future while navigating betrayal.
Fashion observers have made comparisons to high-profile celebrity divorces, such as the custody dispute between Pitt and Jolie or the legal battles between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. However, this case is particularly rooted in the fashion industry, fusing corporate repercussions with personal scandal. Because of the lawsuit, Torstensson has already resigned from his position at Frame, the denim company he co-founded. Compared to distressed denim, the stain of scandal is much more difficult to remove from an industry that depends on perception.
An additional layer of poignancy is added by Massenet’s personal story. Her career started with styling jobs before she revolutionized luxury shopping online. She was raised between Paris and Los Angeles and is the daughter of an American journalist and a Chanel model. Many people have heard her Net-a-Porter story: a pregnant woman at her kitchen table who decided to create the very service she needed after failing to find Chloé jeans online. It seems almost Shakespearean that such a visionary businessman is now facing exploitation charges. Her storyline—trial, love, treachery, and the pursuit of justice—is both intensely personal and universally relatable.
