British fashion titan Dame Natalie Massenet has accused her estranged partner of carrying out a ‘vindictive smear campaign’ after he claimed she was a violent, controlling drug user – and an unfit mother to their son.
It’s a new twist in fashion’s ugliest break-up.
A spokesman for Massenet, who founded Net-a-Porter, accused her partner of 14 years Erik Torstensson of ‘improper’ use of the court process, and claimed that the Swede had leaked his custody filing in New York to the Press last week.
Some of the bombshells therein? That Massenet would ‘lash out physically’, that she ‘drank heavily’ and was a ‘regular’ user of illegal drugs – once overdosing on MDMA at Glastonbury.
He also suggested Massenet, 60, was an unfit mother to their son, Jet Everest Torstensson, seven.
The boy was born via a surrogate and Torstensson, co-founder of the denim brand Frame, says he was Jet’s primary carer.
The wild allegations, which have left the fashion world agog, came after Dame Natalie called Torstensson, 47, a ‘sex addict’ who lived a double life of ‘rampant’ drug use, prostitutes and multiple affairs, in a lawsuit filed last month.
A spokesman for Massenet said: ‘Natalie’s claim was filed as a last resort, after many months of trying to persuade Erik to mediate privately and thoughtfully, for the sake of their son and with respect to their 14 years together.
British fashion titan Dame Natalie Massenet has accused her estranged partner of carrying out a ‘vindictive smear campaign’ (pictured together in 2016)
‘This action is clearly not in the interests of their child and is typical of Torstensson’s behaviour that led to the breakdown of the couple’s relationship and the recent changes to his professional roles.
‘Natalie remains open to mediation and to the private resolution of this family matter. Throughout her life and career, Natalie has led with integrity and transparency, expecting the same in her personal relationships.’
The spokesman added: ‘Erik Torstensson filed a confidential child custody claim – under seal – in relation to his and Natalie’s seven-year-old son and simultaneously leaked it to the media.
‘Torstensson’s improper use of the family court process is nothing more than a vindictive smear campaign in response to Natalie’s claim against him in California to settle financial matters.’
On August 20, Massenet filed a lawsuit against her former partner in the California Superior Court in Los Angeles.
She accused him of conning her out of $95million – using her for her money and her fashion connections, and then leaving her ‘cash strapped’ by reneging on a promise to pay back her investment.
She also, in her complaint, claimed he had cheated on her almost from the beginning of their relationship and regularly hired prostitutes.
Her filing included text messages said to be between Torstensson and a drug dealer and between him and an unnamed woman who sent underwear selfies to him.
The wild allegations, which have left the fashion world agog, came after Dame Natalie called Torstensson, 47, a ‘sex addict’ who lived a double life of ‘rampant’ drug use, prostitutes and multiple affairs, in a lawsuit filed last month. Pictured: The pair with Victoria Beckham
The entrepreneur, a former chairman of the British Fashion Council, said Torstensson had admitted to her in May that he was a ‘liar, drug addict, alcoholic and sex addict’.
As they were not married, she is seeking damages for breach of contract, fraud and emotional distress.
Torstensson’s suit, meanwhile, claims his former partner drank heavily and, under the influence, would sometimes ‘lash out physically’, including one fight in which she ‘clawed’ his arms ‘until they bled’.
Spacey deserves another Oscar for this show of unity
Kevin Spacey and the boss of the firm which bankrolled his Hollywood return looked super-cosy at the Venice Film Festival this month – both at the amfar charity event, where they walked the red carpet together and at a bash at the Cipriani hotel.
But some are hailing the two-time Oscar-winner’s embrace of Elvira Paterson-Gavrilova as a stunning piece of acting.
I understand lawyers were involved in a dispute this year over Spacey’s new film, a sci-fi thriller called Holiguards Saga: The Portal Of Force (which Paterson-Gavrilova co-wrote).
The $10million picture stars Dolph Lundgren and Eric Roberts (brother of actress Julia), and involves ancient warrior factions battling for control of humanity’s fate.
I’m told: ‘To see Kevin and Elvira hugging and him presenting her with an award… we thought was incredibly surprising, given the war between both of them.
Kevin Spacey and the boss of the firm which bankrolled his Hollywood return looked super-cosy at the Venice Film Festival this month (pictured)
‘It all kicked off earlier this year when Kevin realised he wasn’t involved in the edit process.
‘In the end, the DGA [Directors Guild of America] wrote to the production company Elledgy and told them they had to let him in, by contract.
‘It was the talk of the team in Mexico.’ A lawyer for Spacey declined to comment.
Paterson-Gavrilova said: ‘This is the first time I have been made aware of any concerns raised by Kevin.
‘Until now, we have not experienced any such issues, so this information is entirely new to me.
‘From my perspective, Kevin and I have always maintained an excellent working relationship.’
Spacey’s appearance in Venice appears to be part of a campaign of rehabilitation after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.
He lost his houses and money after a series of legal battles and was essentially cancelled by Hollywood following allegations by actor Anthony Rapp that he acted improperly at a party in 1986, when Rapp was 14 and Spacey 26. (A jury cleared Spacey on all counts in 2022.)
Spacey’s appearance in Venice appears to be part of a campaign of rehabilitation after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. Pictured: Spacey at Venice Film Festival
This was followed by allegations of sexual assault on the set of Netflix hit series House Of Cards, in which he starred. Spacey has denied everything.
Two years ago he was acquitted in a UK court of nine charges of assault relating to his time at London’s Old Vic Theatre.
Young star’s golden tribute to late mum
The Last Of Us star Kaitlyn Dever was ‘in a fog’ after the death of her mother when she filmed season 2 of the hit show — with Kathy Dever’s funeral taking place just three days before the cameras rolled in 2024.
And at the Emmys on Sunday night, where she was nominated for her role as Abby in the series, she brought a bit of her mum with her in the form of a gold jacket worn in tribute.
The bolero was custom made by Michael Kors, using material from an evening jacket that belonged to her mother.
Kathy died aged 53 after a 14-year battle with breast cancer.
Dever, 28, incredible as a teenage rape victim in Unbelievable and as Belle Gibson in Apple Cider Vinegar, said after her mother died: ‘Your love was the sunshine.’
At the Emmys on Sunday night, The Last Of Us star Kaitlyn Dever brought a bit of her mum with her in the form of a gold jacket worn in tribute (pictured)
You’ve sold HOW many tickets to my book launch?
Her Rolling Stone ex-husband Ronnie has been playing to sold-out stadiums for decades but Jo Wood has suffered the embarrassment of having an event cancelled due to disappointing ticket sales.
Wood, 70, was to have hosted a book signing for her debut novel, The Resurrection Of Flo, at Waterstones on Tottenham Court Road this month.
But it didn’t happen – and one source whispers that only a handful of tickets were sold.
Her publicist David Burns said: ‘We had to postpone the Waterstones event until later in the year, as there were some issues with fans being unable to purchase tickets.’
He added that the book is ‘selling well’ and there is a sold-out event in Southampton tomorrow.
Her Rolling Stone ex-husband Ronnie has been playing to sold-out stadiums for decades but Jo Wood (pictured at her book launch party in June) has suffered the embarrassment of having an event cancelled due to disappointing ticket sales
Having survived surgery to remove a benign brain tumour, Davina McCall wants to write a book about dying. ‘It’s definitely going to be the next subject I write about – I’ve got so much to say,’ says Davina.
‘It’s a matter that needs to be discussed and I want to get us all to a place where we are ready to let go – with peace.
‘The best thing to come out of my illness and operation is not being frightened of death any more and I want other people to feel the same way.’
The Big Brother presenter, 57, has written a memoir and books about dieting and menopause.
I see you! Rogen scouts talent from Emmys stage
Seth Rogen, of The Studio, says while standing in triumph on the stage at the Emmys that he was scanning the audience… for famous people he could persuade to appear in the next series.
The Apple TV+ show won 13 awards on Sunday.
And Rogen said: ‘There’s a few people I’m gonna follow up with tomorrow, with a little more bounce in my step than maybe I had before.
‘Literally, as I was standing on the stage, I was looking out at the crowd, [and] being like, “Oh, maybe he’ll do [the show] now”.’
He added that he had met Apple’s CEO Tim Cook at the event, before quipping: ‘I hope we all get free iPhones out of this or something.’
Seth Rogen (pictured, at the Emmys), of The Studio, says while standing in triumph on the stage at the Emmys that he was scanning the audience… for famous people he could persuade to appear in the next series
Don’t try to play the sympathy card with Strictly’s Anton Du Beke by sharing sob stories about a dead grandma or a dead cat.
The 59-year-old judge (and professional dancer) has heard them all.
Du Beke said this week, wearily: ‘I just think, “Tiddles will be delighted” and I give a 6 score – and tell them to point their toes.’
Tony Robinson does love to encourage hopes of a new Blackadder series.
Last week he told an audience in Bristol he was going to meet Rowan Atkinson the next day at the launch of his book in London.
But it seems he was teasing, as friends of Atkinson’s co-writer Richard Curtis say there are no plans (cunning or otherwise) in that direction.
Robinson has fond memories of playing turnip-loving manservant Baldrick.
The actor, who has four O-levels, said: ‘I was never going to make it as an Oxbridge-educated comedian, so the magic of being invited to do something like this was fantastic. Rowan’s talent was just thrilling.’
Tony Robinson (pictured, right, as Baldrick, with Rowan Atkinson as Edmund Blackadder) does love to encourage hopes of a new Blackadder series
Comic Alan Davies, 60 next year, says that his audience has grown old with him. He said: ‘I did a show a few weeks ago at Milton Keynes and a phone alarm went off in the third row.
‘I said, “Is that to remind you to take your medication?” And this woman said, “Yes, it is.” And that was the biggest laugh of the night.
‘We had to wait quite a long time for her to find her phone and then even longer for her to find the pills she was going to take. No one wanted her to miss her dose.’
Is there some kind of rule that the less fabric the leading lady wears, the worse the movie?
Margot Robbie and her stylist have been making people think along those lines while she promotes A Big Bold Beautiful Journey.
Sony bought the time-travelling romance for $50million last year and appear to have had second thoughts about its quality, with plans for a film festival debut apparently yanked and very limited marketing in the run-up to its release today.
The reviews are savage (my colleague Brian Viner gave it two stars) and it’s tracking for a $7million opening weekend in the US… which is disaster territory.
Cruel types are writing ‘Margot Floppie’ headlines and saying Barbie was only a hit because the brand is so enormous.
Is there some kind of rule that the less fabric the leading lady wears, the worse the movie? Margot Robbie (pictured, at the UK premiere in London) and her stylist have been making people think along those lines while she promotes A Big Bold Beautiful Journey
