Fashion has always loved a good scandal, and this week’s headline came from the legal arena rather than the runway. Natalie Massenet, founder of luxury e-commerce giant Net-a-Porter, quietly withdrew a lawsuit against her ex-husband, Erik Torstensson, co-founder of the creative agency Saturday Group.
The case, filed earlier this year, had been touted as a potential bombshell, promising to reveal messy details about financial dealings and personal disputes between two of fashion’s most influential power players. Instead, with little fanfare, Massenet’s legal team announced the withdrawal.
For Los Angeles’ fashion industry heavily invested in e-commerce, influencer marketing, and luxury branding the move has sparked speculation. Was there a private settlement? Did pressure from business partners force discretion?
Massenet, who redefined how consumers buy luxury fashion online, remains an icon for many. Torstensson, meanwhile, continues to wield influence through creative direction and brand partnerships. Their story is one of love turned rivalry, business turned battleground.
In an industry fueled by image, the quiet retreat may have been the smartest play. After all, fashion knows the power of leaving something to the imagination.
