Online fashion dame’s tears of joy at Palace
NATALIE MASSENET, the entrepreneur, wept yesterday when she was appointed a Dame Commander for creating one of world’s leading fashion websites.
The former fashion journalist, who founded Net-A-Porter, was given the honour for services to her industry during an investiture ceremony on the opening day of London Fashion Week.
As she left Buckingham Palace’s ballroom after receiving the honour from the Prince of Wales she wiped tears from her eyes, and said later: “It’s overwhelming.”
Dame Natalie added: “After 15 years of hard work I think of all the people who’ve been involved in this journey and I feel like I’m representing them, whether it’s my family or the people that worked with me.
“Today is the kick-off of London Fashion Week and I’m chairman of the British Fashion Council, so I feel like I represent all of us.”
The entrepreneur used her style expertise to launch Net-A-Porter from her London flat in 2000. It has since gone from strength to strength, culminating in a merger with its Italian rival YOOX last year that reportedly earnt Dame Natalie £70 million.
Although she was in line to be executive chairman of the new company, she made a sudden exit on the eve of the union last September.
Asked about her future plans, Dame Natalie said: “I’m focusing on the British Fashion Council and recharging my batteries but I retain my entrepreneurial spirit.”
Net-A-Porter was the first website to sell high-end fashion on the internet.
Vogue has credited it for “revolutionising the way we buy designer clothes”.