Natalie Massenet sues former partner Erik Torstensson, alleging $95 million funding and a secret life

Natalie Massenet, the founder of luxury e-commerce pioneer Net‑a‑Porter, filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles on Aug. 20 alleging that her former partner Erik Torstensson lived a “secret life” while she financially supported his businesses and lifestyle. The complaint accuses Torstensson of fraud, breach of contract and causing severe emotional distress and says Massenet poured more than $95 million into his ventures and personal expenses while he failed to meet repayment promises.

The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, details a relationship that began as a professional alliance and turned romantic, and it alleges prolonged misconduct including drug abuse, extramarital affairs and hiring prostitutes. It seeks unspecified legal and equitable relief and lays out a timeline of investments, introductions to industry figures and alleged misrepresentations that Massenet says she relied upon to her detriment.

According to the complaint, Massenet — 60 — first met Torstensson around 2009 when he pitched a men’s extension to Net‑a‑Porter. By late 2010, the relationship had become romantic, the suit says. Massenet sold her majority stake in Net‑a‑Porter that year for an estimated $76 million and remained as executive chairman; she left the company in 2015 with $153 million and later launched the venture firm Imaginary Ventures.

Torstensson, 47, co‑founded the denim brand Frame with Jens Grede. The complaint says Massenet used her industry contacts to introduce Torstensson to influential figures including editors, designers and entrepreneurs — connections she alleges were used to bolster his career and the prospects of his businesses. Net‑a‑Porter carried Frame’s first collection, the suit notes, and Massenet says she became an early investor in ventures associated with Torstensson.

The lawsuit contends that Torstensson’s investments in brands tied to the Kardashian business empire — including a stake in Skims — are now individually worth substantial sums. The complaint states that Torstensson’s stake in Skims is worth “in excess of $300 million.” Massenet alleges she funded parts of his lifestyle and businesses, and that Torstensson subsequently failed to repay loans or honor other promises.

The complaint sets out a series of allegations about Torstensson’s conduct beginning in 2018 and intensifying through 2024. It says he chartered private jets, bought art and otherwise spent lavishly rather than meeting repayment commitments. In 2024, the suit says, Torstensson became erratic, drinking heavily, experiencing panic attacks and disappearing for nights at a time. The complaint alleges that during an absence in May, he told Massenet he no longer loved her and did not believe their romantic relationship could continue.

Massenet says she later found an old cellphone containing text messages and photographs that she describes as “indisputable evidence” of multiple affairs with younger women, including one person connected to Massenet’s daughter. The suit quotes Torstensson as allegedly admitting to being “a liar, an alcoholic, a drug addict, a sex addict and that it had gone on for seven years.”

The complaint also alleges that Torstensson used cocaine and ecstasy and hired prostitutes. It claims that the professional and personal entanglement between the two — including introductions to high‑profile industry figures — was leveraged for his financial gain. The suit asserts multiple legal claims related to fraud, breach of contract, unjust enrichment and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Massenet and Torstensson had a child via surrogate in 2017. The filing lays out both the couple’s public, high‑profile life — hosting events and appearing at fashion industry gatherings — and the private conduct she alleges culminated in financial and emotional harm. Friends and industry insiders quoted in reporting on the suit described the pair as a fashion power couple whose fall has surprised peers.

Massenet is widely credited with helping to establish the online luxury retail model. After founding Net‑a‑Porter in 2000 and building it into a leading luxury e‑commerce platform, she moved into venture investing, backing consumer brands including Everlane, Reformation and Daily Harvest through Imaginary Ventures. Torstensson has been described in industry coverage as a branding executive and entrepreneur, with roles in Frame and investments connected to other consumer brands.

The suit has drawn attention in fashion and business circles because it names large sums and describes the mixing of personal relationships with substantial financial dealings. Industry observers noted the role of introductions and access in building brand partnerships and said those relationships are often treated as a form of currency in the luxury sector.

The New York Post reported details of the complaint and quoted unnamed insiders reacting to the allegations. The Post also reported that it reached out to Torstensson and Massenet for comment; the outlet said neither had provided immediate responses. The Los Angeles court filing is a public document that will proceed through pretrial phases unless the parties reach a settlement or the case is otherwise resolved.

The complaint does not resolve allegations; they remain claims to be proven in court. It is not uncommon for civil litigation involving founders, investors and executives to include detailed factual assertions that the defendant disputes. The filing sets the stage for discovery, in which each side may seek documents and testimony to support its position, and for potential motions that could narrow the issues before trial.

Any broader market implications would depend on the outcome of the legal proceedings and whether the litigation affects ownership stakes or governance of investments tied to Torstensson. For now, the suit marks a public and high‑profile legal dispute involving prominent figures in luxury retail, branding and venture investing, and it highlights risks that can arise when personal and professional relationships intersect in business.

The Los Angeles court docket will record the next filings and any scheduled hearings as the case progresses.