Les Copains
OVS · Italy
Les Copains is an Italian women's fashion brand founded in Bologna in the 1950s by Mario Bandiera. After the original company was declared bankrupt in March 2022, the retailer OVS bought the brand at auction in July 2022. OVS relaunched it exclusively in more than 500 of its stores in February 2025.
| Founder | Mario Bandiera |
|---|---|
| Origin | Bologna, Italy (1950s) |
| Owner | OVS (since July 2022) |
| Bankruptcy | March 2022 |
| Relaunch | 25 February 2025 in 500+ OVS stores |
| Segment | Premium and contemporary (listed); relaunched as affordable |
What is Les Copains?
Les Copains is an Italian fashion brand now owned by the retailer OVS. It was prominent from the 1970s to the 1990s with a young clientele, especially for its striped mini sweaters and cold-wool jackets.
History
According to FashionUnited, the brand was founded in Bologna in the 1950s by Mario Bandiera. The company was declared bankrupt in March 2022. In July 2022 OVS bought the Les Copains brand at auction for 1.46 million euros. A separate lot, covering 25 employees then on temporary layoff and machinery, received no bids.
Relaunch under OVS
On 25 February 2025 OVS launched Les Copains exclusively in more than 500 of its stores, with the Spring/Summer 2025 collection. OVS chief executive Stefano Beraldo called it a reference brand for Made in Italy and said the aim was to reinterpret its spirit rather than redesign it. The campaign was photographed by Scott Schuman of The Sartorialist and set in Milan.
Products and positioning
The relaunched offer is described as affordable, versatile and mix-and-match for women of any age or style. It is vintage-inspired and boho-chic, with embroidery and lace on natural fabrics such as linen, cotton and ramie, stripes, real-suede pieces including a jacket, Mary Janes and fringed bags, and broderie anglaise skirts and raw-wash denim flares.
Business model and distribution
Distribution is currently limited to OVS's own network, which includes more than 2,200 stores in Italy and abroad, mostly under the OVS and Upim names. This places the relaunched brand in the mass and mid-market space rather than the premium position it held in earlier decades.
Why it matters
Les Copains is a clear case of a historic Italian label being acquired out of insolvency and repositioned by a large retailer to reach a broad audience.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Les Copains?
OVS, the Italian fashion retailer, owns Les Copains. It bought the brand at auction in July 2022 for 1.46 million euros, according to FashionUnited.
Where is Les Copains from?
Les Copains is Italian. It was founded in Bologna in the 1950s by Mario Bandiera, according to FashionUnited.