Some companies seem immortal, then they stumble and collapse under the weight of their own history. Giuseppe Stefanel He lived the rise, the fall and now the attempt to climb under the Ovs wing. A career made of brilliant intuitions, aggressive expansion and choices that have not always paid. From the foundation of the brand in the 70s to the acquisition by OVS, its history It is not a fairy tale with a happy endingbut a case of school on how to build (and you risk losing) an empire in fashion.
The intuition that changes everything: Stefanel is born
Giuseppe Stefanel It was born on August 31, 1952 in Ponte di Piave, in Veneto. In the 1960s he enrolled in the Faculty of Economics and Commerce of the University of Venice, but the University is only a piece. Start working in the Piave sweaterthefamily businesslearning everything you need to know about yarns and fabrics.
In the 70s he understood that traditional knitwear needs a shock. Creation Sigma linea collection aimed at a younger and modern audience. The quality jump arrives in 1979: decides to transform the family surname into a brand, Stefanel was born. The brand stands out with an innovative industrial and distribution approach, but above all with an aggressive expansion that will lead him to impose himself internationally.
Franchising and world expansion
In 1980 he opens the first shop in Siena with the franchise formula. Works. Stefanel multiplies the points of sale And over the years it reaches about 700 stores worldwide, 200 of which direct management. The brand becomes a reference in the clothing sector, but the growth rhythm is frantic and not without risk.
Recognitions and prestigious assignments
In the 2005 The Ca ‘Foscari University of Venice assigns a Degree in Honorem in Economics of International Exchanges. A recognition that certifies the role of Stefanel in the Veneto economic fabric and beyond. In the meantime, he enters the Boards of administration of several companies: The Nuance Group AG, Antonveneta spa, editorial Il Gazzettino Spa, and in the past also Comit, Sve Airport of Venice Marco Polo Spa and Interbanca Spa. A curriculum that speaks of power and relationships, two key elements in its path.
The acquisition of Stefanel by OVS
But not all row smooth. After years of expansion, the castle begins to creak. The retail crisis, the Change of consumer habits And company choices not always far -sighted put Stefanel on the ropes. The coup de grace arrives in 2021: The company ends up in extraordinary administration. Ovs, who acquires the brand and some assets, including 23 points of sale, the archive of the collections and a part of the staff, takes care of the pieces.
We then wanted to report Stefanel on track with a strategy that focuses on knitwearquality of materials and a balance between physical and digital retail. Not a resurrection, but a surgical operation to save what remains of the brand without giving up its legacy.
How OVS and Stefanel go now
In 2025, the budget says that OVS is reaping the fruits of its strategy. In the first nine months of the year, net sales reached € 1,176.3 million, in 6.7% growth compared to the same period of 2024. Direct shops mark a +7.4%, franchising a +4.2%. The rectified ebitda grows by 11.3%, reaching € 135.2 million, while the result of the rectified taxes touches € 72.3 million (+20.4%). In the third quarter, sales went up to € 414.7 million, +12.8% on an annual basis. And now it would also seem interested in Conbipel.
Stefanel’s relaunch was not a walk. After a start 2024.the new creative direction has finally found the square with the autumn-winter collections, positively welcomed by the market. The brand still exists, but in a different form. Time will say if Ovs has made a good deal or if it is just a make -up operation destined to deflate over time.
