The suits are dropped, ending a high-profile dispute
The fashion world watched a dramatic legal saga unfold between Natalie Massenet, a 60-year-old powerhouse who built Net-a-Porter and reshaped online fashion, and Erik Torstensson, her Swedish partner who is 13 years younger. In August, Massenet took legal action in Los Angeles, claiming she had relied on Torstensson’s actions and investments as part of a joint life that amounted to hundreds of millions of kronor. The allegations portrayed a lifestyle drain on her fortune—while she claimed to have invested as much as 900 million kronor, he allegedly spent money on drugs and led a life far removed from public propriety.
Counterclaims and sensational headlines
Torstensson responded with his own suit in New York, painting a far different picture. He described Massenet as an “unfaithful, partying narcissist” who used her power to control him. His filing accused her of drug use and heavy drinking that allegedly spilled into violent episodes directed at him. The clash drew readers and fashion insiders, highlighting the tension between glittering industry power and personal drama.
A surprising reversal
In what New York Post reported as a notable shift, both lawsuits have now been withdrawn. A representative for the parties told the publication that “both parties are satisfied that all the unfortunate procedures between them have been withdrawn.” The legal chapter thus closes with neither side pursuing the claims in court, at least for now.
What this means for the players and the industry
For Massenet, the case marked a rare direct challenge to a fashion mogul’s influence and the financial ties that can exist in long-term partnerships. For Torstensson, the withdrawal stirs questions about what, if any, remains of the personal and professional dynamic that drew them together in the first place. Legal experts often note that public disputes in the fashion world can influence brand perception, investor confidence, and future collaborations, even when suits are ultimately dropped. The episode underscores how fragile high-profile relationships can be when billions and reputations are at stake.
Looking ahead
With the lawsuits behind them, both Massenet and Torstensson may choose to recalibrate their public narratives away from courtrooms and toward business or personal projects. The fashion industry, always attentive to who wields influence, may now focus less on courtroom drama and more on ongoing ventures like established e-commerce platforms and innovative fashion power moves. Whether new collaborations emerge remains to be seen, but the end of these legal battles signals a shift from sensational headlines to possible restart opportunities in luxury fashion and entrepreneurship.
