The Net-A-Porter founder is heading over to the competition
Following reports back in December, confirmation has finally come through of fashion power house Natalie Massenet joining e-commerce site Farfetch as their Co-Chairman. Having previously worked at Net-A-Porter as one of the founders launching the brand 17 years ago, Massenet will be moving across to her former sites direct competition.
Joining Portuguese entrepreneur José Neves who launched Farfetch back in 2008, Massenet announced the news on her Instagram account. Revealing that, “Over the past 18 months my entrepreneurial drive, and passion for how innovation in technology can transform the future of luxury remains undiminished. In 1999 when I first thought about selling fashion online, the world was just waking up to the possibility. Today we expect access to everything, anytime, anywhere.”
I am delighted to announce that I am joining FARFETCH as non-executive Co-Chairman alongside Executive Co-Chairman, Founder and CEO José Neves. Over the past 18 months my entrepreneurial drive, and passion for how innovation in technology can transform the future of luxury remains undiminished. In 1999 when I first thought about selling fashion online, the world was just waking up to the possibility. Today we expect access to everything, anytime, anywhere. The tech and logistics platforms that power the best e-commerce today have new decentralised business models. If I were starting an e-commerce company today, I would do it very differently. José is the best of our entrepreneurs; a brilliant mind, a visionary leader and a gentleman. I have been a fan since he founded FARFETCH in 2008, admiring how José and his team have forged their own path in luxury e-commerce. FARFETCH aggregates the most beautiful fashion curated by the world’s best boutiques and designer stores with the widest selection of styles into ONE easy-to-shop and brilliantly conceived API-enabled platform. A simple idea that is staggeringly difficult to execute that FARFETCH has cracked!! It’s no coincidence that all the most successful companies, Facebook, Amazon and Apple are also API-enabled platforms. FARFETCH is an example of the “collaborative economy” when businesses historically seen as competitors work together to offer the best possible customer experience and support the world’s luxury fashion brands. It is a truly global business (over 750 designers and boutiques partners delivering to 190 countries, same day delivery in 9 cities, translated into 9 languages) and growing fast. Over the last year trading has grown by 70%, with the most recent investment valuing the company at over $1bn. In my new non-exec role I look forward to further realising FARFETCH’s potential, developing its global brand and strengthening its fashion industry partnerships. If you like what FARFETCH is striving for, JOIN US! We are looking for the best in class, so email us on [email protected] Let’s do this! X Natalie #FARFETCHforFASHION
A post shared by Natalie Massenet, DBE (@nat_mass) on Feb 28, 2017 at 5:57am PST
She continued, “In my new non-exec role I look forward to further realising Farfetch’s potential, developing its global brand and strengthening its fashion industry partnerships.” Following her move from Net-A-Porter due to the site being sold to online fashion retailer Yoox without Massenet’s knowledge, this appears to be the perfect move for the business woman.
“Farfetch aggregates the most beautiful fashion curated by the world’s best boutiques and designer stores with the widest selection of styles into one easy-to-shop and brilliantly conceived API-enabled platform. A simple idea that is staggeringly difficult to execute that Farfetch has cracked!” Set to develop the brand even further globally, Massenet is truly one to watch.
