Natalie Massenet

Dame Natalie Sara Massenet, In 2018

Credited by many as changing the way designer fashion is retailed, she has been described by The Observer as: "fashion's favourite self-made success story". the daughter of American journalist-turned-film publicist Robert “Bob” L. Rooney and Barbara Jones, a British model for Chanel and film stand-in for Sophia Loren. She spent her early childhood in Paris, moving back to Los Angeles in 1976 with her father after her parents divorced.

Her first job after graduating from high school was in a menswear shop in Los Angeles and Massenet then attended UCLA, studying English Literature. After graduating, she spent a year in Tokyo working as a fashion model and stylist. Other early jobs included working as a receptionist at Universal Studios and assisting at Italian magazine Moda, where she worked with the then-emerging photographer Mario Testino. The idea came about after Massenet was attempting to source products online for a fashion shoot. Initially the business operation was so low-key that Net-a-Porter's trademark black delivery boxes were stacked up in the bath. Initially, the idea of selling high fashion online was unappealing to designers and investors, who could not imagine selling goods without a physical retail outlet; however, in 2001 Massenet persuaded Roland Mouret to sell his first collection via the site. By 2004, the company was profitable and won the best fashion shop award at the British Fashion Awards.

As of September 2013, Net-a-Porter employed 2,600 people in the UK, US and Hong Kong, with further offices in Shanghai and fulfilment centres on the outskirts of three cities.

Ahead of a merger with the YOOX Group, Massenet stepped down as the executive chairman of Net-a-Porter in September 2015.

After Net-a-Porter Massenet took over as chairman of the British Fashion Council in 2013. In this honorary role, which normally carries a three-year commitment, she is responsible for steering London Fashion Week and overseeing the Council's other activities to promote British fashion design in the UK and overseas. An article in 2013, suggested she has boosted London's reputation as an international fashion centre. On the day of the announcement, Jose Neves very enthusiastically said, "I have always been a huge huge fan of Natalie. She was a pioneer that started this whole thing for the rest of us. I’ve always had huge admirations. I actually found that the thought was actually mutual. She loved the Farfetch model and the brand DNA. She got more and more excited about the business." formerly of 14W Ventures. Imaginary is a Venture Capital Fund that invests in early–stage opportunities at the intersection of retail and technology in Europe and the US. They've already invested in millennial brand Glossier created by Emily Weiss, Khloe Kardashian’s denim company Good American, tights company Heist, cosmetic dermatology brand Ever/Body, pop up retail company Appear Here.

She has been extensively renovating the listed Donhead House in Wiltshire with Erik Torstensson since she purchased it for £1.4 million in 2014. Philip Joseph was responsible for the interior renovation of the property.

Personal life Massenet has two daughters with her ex-husband, French hedge fund manager Arnaud Massenet,

Awards Massenet was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the fashion industry in 2009 and Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to the fashion and retail industries. In 2013, Massenet was made a Woman of the Year by US Glamour magazine. In 2014, she was named as one of the 100 most influential people by Time.