Natalie Massenet

Dame Natalie Massenet
Born	Natalie Sara Rooney (1965-05-13) May 13, 1965 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, former journalist
Years active	1993–present
Known for	Founder of Net-a-Porter

Dame Natalie Sara Massenet, (born Rooney; 13 May 1965), is a British-American entrepreneur in the fashion industry and a former journalist, renowned for creating the luxury fashion e-commerce platform Net-a-Porter. She held the position of chairman at the British Fashion Council between 2013 and 2017. In 2018, together with Nick Brown, she co-established Imaginary Ventures and took on the role of non-executive co-chairman at Farfetch.

Recognized for revolutionizing the retail landscape of designer fashion, she has been described by The Observer as "fashion’s most celebrated self-made success."

Background and early career

Natalie Massenet, originally Natalie Sara Rooney, was born in Los Angeles on 13 May 1965. She is the daughter of Robert “Bob” L. Rooney, an American journalist who later became a film publicist, and Barbara Jones, a British model. Her early years were spent in Paris before her family relocated back to Los Angeles in 1976 following her parents’ separation.

Her initial employment after completing high school was at a menswear store in Los Angeles. She then pursued a degree in English Literature at UCLA. After graduating, she spent a year in Tokyo working as both a fashion model and stylist. Early in her career, she also held positions including receptionist at Universal Pictures and assistant at the Italian publication Moda, collaborating with photographer Mario Testino.

Massenet embarked on her career in fashion journalism with Women's Wear Daily (WWD) in 1993. Subsequently, she moved to the UK to work at Tatler as an assistant to Isabella Blow. She transitioned to freelance work in 1998.

Net-a-Porter

In 2000, Massenet launched Net-a-Porter from London as a website styled like a magazine that sold designer clothing. The concept originated while she was sourcing items online for a fashion shoot. Operating initially from her Chelsea apartment, she secured £1.2 million in start-up funding with assistance from her then-husband, Arnaud Massenet, a French hedge fund manager. The early days involved modest logistics, with the signature black delivery boxes stored temporarily in the bathtub.

The platform’s innovative approach enabled customers to purchase outfits by clicking on images presented in a magazine-like format. Although there was initial skepticism among designers and investors about selling luxury goods online without physical storefronts, Massenet persuaded designers such as Roland Mouret to offer their collections digitally. By 2004, Net-a-Porter had achieved profitability and received the best fashion shop accolade at the British Fashion Awards.

In 2009, the company introduced The Outnet, a site dedicated to discounted fashion items. The following year, Massenet sold Net-a-Porter to Swiss luxury conglomerate Richemont for approximately £50 million but retained her roles as executive chairman and investor. The men's fashion site Mr Porter debuted in 2011; beauty products were incorporated into the offering in 2013 under David Olsen’s management.

By September 2013, Net-a-Porter employed around 2,600 people across locations including the UK, US, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, supported by fulfillment centers near three major cities. At that time, the company's valuation was close to £350 million.

In early 2014, Net-a-Porter expanded its brand by launching Porter, a print magazine complemented by an app and digital edition.

Prior to merging with the Yoox Group, Massenet relinquished her role as executive chairman of Net-a-Porter in September 2015.

After Net-a-Porter

In 2013, Massenet assumed the role of chairman at the British Fashion Council, where she managed London Fashion Week and championed British fashion on the global stage. She resigned from this position in May 2018, with Stephanie Phair, Farfetch’s Chief Strategy Officer, taking over the role.

Continuing her involvement in the luxury e-commerce sector, Massenet joined Farfetch as a non-executive co-chairman in February 2017. José Neves, founder of Farfetch, commended her as a visionary pioneer whose outlook is closely aligned with the company’s core values.

In 2018, she partnered with Nick Brown, formerly of 14W Ventures, to establish Imaginary Ventures, a venture capital fund focused on early-stage retail and technology startups across Europe and the United States. Their portfolio includes millennial-focused beauty brand Glossier, Khloe Kardashian’s denim line Good American, eco-conscious fashion label Reformation, hosiery company Heist, cosmetic dermatology brand Ever/Body, and pop-up retail platform Appear Here.

Additionally, Massenet has ventured into real estate investment, notably undertaking extensive renovations of Donhead House in Wiltshire—a listed property she purchased for £1.4 million in 2014—with interior design directed by Philip Joseph.

Personal life

Massenet has two daughters with her former husband, French hedge fund manager Arnaud Massenet, and a son with her long-term partner Erik Torstensson, who is co-founder and creative director of the fashion label FRAME.

Awards

• In 2009, Massenet was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) and was elevated to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2016 New Year Honours for her contributions to fashion and retail.
• She received the Woman of the Year award from US Glamour magazine in 2013.
• In 2014, Time magazine recognized her as one of the 100 most influential individuals globally.
• Between 2013 and 2017, Massenet was featured in the BOF 500 list compiled by The Business of Fashion, highlighting key leaders shaping the $2.4 trillion worldwide fashion industry.