Natalie Massenet of Net-a-Porter drops shocking lawsuit against her former partner

Fashion’s Major Legal Dispute Comes to a Close

The much-publicized feud in the fashion industry has concluded. Natalie Massenet, the founder of Net-A-Porter, has chosen to withdraw her lawsuit against her former partner, Eric Torstenson, a move that has certainly raised eyebrows.

Representatives for both sides provided a statement exclusively to Page Six. Massenet has retracted all legal actions against Torstenson, which included civil lawsuits in California and family-related cases in New York.

Sources indicated that the Los Angeles lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed, as per court records.

In her California lawsuit, filed just last month, Massenet had alleged that Torstenson’s drug addiction and infidelity contributed to their break-up earlier this year. According to court documents, the 60-year-old claimed that her ex-partner “planned to seduce Massenet and pursue romantic relationships alongside professional ones,” asserting he used her to bolster his career.

She accused him of living a lavish lifestyle funded by her own investments—over $95 million—while also engaging in activities involving drugs and deceit.

Massenet claimed that Torstenson failed to honor a promise to repay her, declaring that she had lodged multiple claims against him, including accusations of fraud and “serious emotional distress.”

As for the reasons behind the withdrawal of the lawsuit, no further details have been disclosed, leaving many questions unanswered.

The couple had been considered a power pairing in the fashion realm. In fact, Tatler Magazine once commented that if they were hosting a party, one would do almost anything to get an invitation.

Massenet, who founded Net-a-Porter in 2000, later co-founded Imaginary Ventures. Torstenson, who runs a marketing agency, pitched the idea to expand Massenet’s fashion platform to include menswear—a venture that eventually sparked a romantic relationship by late 2010.

Massenet divested a majority stake in Net-A-Porter for about $76 million, retaining her position as executive chairman. After dividing from her first husband in 2011, she and Torstenson became a high-profile couple, mingling with supermodels and designers.

In 2017, they welcomed a child through surrogacy, while Massenet has two daughters from her previous marriage.

The LA lawsuit painted Torstenson as a significant spender, with extravagant habits like chartering jets and acquiring art. The documentation indicated that their separation in 2024 was marked by distressing revelations.

Allegedly, Torstenson checked into a treatment facility, and Massenet reportedly uncovered incriminating evidence on one of his old phones, including explicit messages and images.

An insider previously commented that while Massenet is far from naive, she had always been a genuinely loving partner, someone who believed in a long-term future together. Yet, it seems they are now at a crossroads.