Inside the $95 million breakup battle between fashion power couple Natalie Massenet and Erik Torstensson

Torstensson's countersuit: character and custody attacks

Days later, Torstensson made a New York lawsuit for custody of their seven-year-old child. His complaint accuses Massenet of excessive drug and alcohol use, stating that she became violent when drunk. He portrayed her as a self-centred woman who loved the limelight, lashed out at people who criticized her, and endangered their family. Compared to her lengthy grievance, his paper has minimal textual evidence but depicts Massenet as an unsuitable parent. Both sides, in one way or another, have turned their courtroom strategy into a reputation battle, with not only themselves but also their professional circles added to the conflict.

The glamorous beginning of a star romance

Their own tale began in 2009 in London, when Torstensson proposed the idea of Mr. Porter, the male version of Net-a-Porter, and Massenet hired him. In 2012, after divorcing banker Arnaud Massenet, their professional relationship grew into love. They built a sphere of influence together: she sold Net-a-Porter for £350 million, later co-founding venture firm Imaginary Ventures; he started Frame, growing it into a $240 million jeans empire. They bought townhouses in New York, a Hamptons vacation house, and an English country estate, hosting themed soirees and being envied for their shared vision of luxury and lifestyle.

Illusions are shattered and personal accusations erupt

Massenet's lawsuit depicts Torstensson as a cunning swindler who exploited her at a time of vulnerability. She claims he encouraged lavish spending to establish his reputation and invested her money in ventures that left out her profits. His version shows her pursuing him while still married, spending extravagantly, and occasionally having explosive tantrums. He says he has spent tens of millions of his own dollars on their lifestyle and as the primary caregiver for their son. The dueling accounts muddy the waters of victim and attacker, making it possible to unravel the truth in court.

Industry fallout: reputations and investments at risk

The suits reverberate far beyond their personal lives. Torstensson returned from Frame, and Skims disassociated itself from each of them. Imaginary Ventures, Massenet's $1.5 billion fund, is being uncomfortably examined by investors. Skims, valued at $4 billion, could bring windfalls to both of them, but the scandal threatens to spoil their relationship with a company built on image and cultural capital. Industry analysts note that while Massenet has always been known as a trusted deal-maker, the suit could dim investor faith in her discretion, though there is empathy for her situation.
Next steps in the high-stakes battle

With a child, multiple businesses, and reputations on the line, the courtroom battle is bound to be brutal and lengthy. Both sides accuse the other of drug use, infidelity, and financial manipulation. For the fashion industry, the case provides a reminder of how work and home life have a way of becoming intertwined—and untangled—in ways with enormous financial consequences. Whether the courts decide with Massenet's fraud claims or Torstensson's claims of parental unfitness, the consequences will likely reshape not only their lives but also the future of the companies and brands linked with their names.