Amazon is in talks to buy luxury fashion etailer Net-a-Porter in a deal that would value it at about £1.5bn, it is understood.

Net a porter website

The talks are said to be in their early stages and could yet fall apart, WWD reported.

Amazon has long strived to make inroads into fashion and this deal would transform its offer. The etail giant will open a 46,000 sq ft fashion photography studio in Shoreditch this summer and has previously considered buying Indian fashion retailer Jabong.com.

Net-a-Porter is owned by luxury goods group Richemont, which acquired the etailer for €392m in 2010.

It was set up by American former fashion journalist Natalie Massenet in 2000.