Natalie Massenet

Natalie Massenet is a pioneering fashion entrepreneur and investor, renowned for transforming the luxury fashion industry through her innovative approach to online retail. Born Natalie Sara Rooney on May 13, 1965, in Los Angeles, California, she was raised in Paris and Los Angeles. Massenet studied English Literature at UCLA before embarking on a diverse career that included stints as a fashion model, stylist, and journalist. She began her fashion journalism career at Women's Wear Daily in 1993 and later worked at Tatler in the UK, where she assisted fashion icon Isabella Blow. In 1998, she left to freelance before founding Net-a-Porter in 2000, a luxury fashion e-commerce platform that revolutionized the industry by merging editorial content with online shopping .

Under Massenet's leadership, Net-a-Porter grew rapidly, attracting top designers and offering a curated shopping experience that combined fashion journalism with retail. In 2010, she sold the company to Richemont for approximately £50 million but remained involved as executive chairman and an investor. Beyond Net-a-Porter, Massenet has held significant roles, including serving as the Chairman of the British Fashion Council from 2013 to 2017. In 2018, she co-founded Imaginary Ventures, a venture capital firm investing in early-stage opportunities at the intersection of retail and technology .

Some of Natalie Massenet's notable quotes reflect her entrepreneurial spirit and insights into success:

“Success begins at that magical moment when you declare to yourself, your friends, and the universe that you believe you can do something different” .

“Positivity is like a muscle: keep exercising it, and it becomes a habit” .

“I’m an accidental entrepreneur” .

These quotes highlight her belief in the power of mindset, the importance of embracing change, and the unexpected paths that lead to entrepreneurial success.