Natalie Massenet, founder of Net-a-Porter, has filed a lawsuit against her former partner Erik Torstensson, accusing him of financial exploitation during their 14-year relationship. The lawsuit, filed in California, claims Torstensson used Massenet's wealth to lead a lavish lifestyle and failed to honor their financial agreement. The case has gained international media attention.
Net-a-Porter Founder Sues Ex-Partner Erik Torstensson for Alleged Financial Exploitation
Net-a-Porter Founder Sues Ex-Partner Erik Torstensson for Alleged Financial Exploitation
Fashion billionaire Natalie Massenet, 60, is suing her former partner Erik Torstensson, 47. She claims he exploited her financially during their 14 years together. According to the lawsuit, he used her money to lead an extravagant "double life."
The news has been widely covered by international media such as The Times, The Telegraph, and Daily Mail, which first reported on the lawsuit filed in a California court on Wednesday.
Erik Torstensson grew up in Sweden but has lived abroad since the late 1990s. He works in advertising and PR and is one of the founders of the luxury jeans brand Frame, whose clothes have been dubbed "supermodel jeans" and have been seen on celebrities like Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Kate Moss.
In 2009, he began a relationship with American-British Natalie Massenet, who started her career as a fashion journalist before founding the online luxury retailer Net-a-Porter. This made her a billionaire, and she has repeatedly appeared on the British Sunday Times list of the richest people in the UK.
27 Pages
Now the relationship is over, and in a 27-page lawsuit, Natalie Massenet claims that Torstensson exploited her financially, was unfaithful, and had a drug addiction, according to Daily Mail. Massenet states she found messages and photos proving her ex-partner "lived a double life" for several years.
According to the lawsuit, Massenet invested over $95 million, equivalent to 845 million SEK, in their shared life during the relationship—from luxury properties to travel and daily expenses.
Massenet: He Wanted to Impress Celebrities
During their time together, Torstensson allegedly used her money to impress celebrity friends, rent private planes, buy art, and finance an extravagant lifestyle.
Massenet also claims that Torstensson initially "seduced" her with the goal of gaining "social influence" and access to various celebrities, such as David and Victoria Beckham, whom he could then use for marketing his companies.
Alleged Breach of Agreement
According to Massenet, the couple had an agreement that she would cover both their shared expenses and Torstensson's professional costs.
In return, they would share the profits from Torstensson's businesses.
She claims that part of the agreement never materialized.
"When the romantic relationship ended due to his double-dealing, and her money ran out, he cut Massenet off from all potential revenues from her significant investment in Torstensson over the past nearly 15 years," the documents state.
Now, Massenet is suing her ex-partner for breach of contract, fraud, and emotional distress. According to her lawyers, she has experienced "severe emotional stress" and required therapy following the events.
Expressen has sought Erik Torstensson. He has yet to respond to the court, according to Daily Mail.