Shocking allegations have emerged in a bitter High Court battle involving Dame Natalie Massenet, the renowned founder of luxury online retailer Net-a-Porter. Her ex-boyfriend, Arnaud Massenet, to whom she was married for 13 years, has accused her of violent behaviour, controlling tendencies, and regular cocaine use during their subsequent relationship.
The explosive claims are part of a contentious £50 million divorce settlement dispute. Arnaud Massenet, 53, is fighting a ruling that awarded his ex-wife a vastly larger portion of their assets. He argues that her subsequent relationship with Italian fashion magnate Gianluca Longo should invalidate the original financial agreement.
A Catalogue of Allegations
In court documents, Arnaud portrays his former wife in a damning light. He alleges she was a habitual user of cocaine, a claim he insists is supported by testimonies from nannies and household staff. Furthermore, he accuses her of possessing a violent and controlling temperament.
Specific incidents cited include an alleged physical altercation at the five-star Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, France, where Dame Natalie is accused of punching him in the face. He also claims she threw a heavy object at his head on another occasion.
The Other Side of the Story
Dame Natalie, 59, fiercely denies all allegations, labelling them as "false and malicious." Her legal team asserts that these claims are a transparent attempt by Arnaud to gain a tactical advantage in their financial proceedings and tarnish her reputation.
The French-American businesswoman, who received a damehood for her services to fashion, is a respected figure in the industry. She founded Net-a-Porter in 2000, revolutionising online luxury retail, and later launched the magazine Porter.
This high-stakes legal drama offers a stark contrast to the glamorous image of the fashion world, revealing a deeply personal and acrimonious conflict playing out in one of the UK's highest courts.
