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CP Company pulls plug on indie stockists

CP Company, which was founded in 1975 by Italian designer Massimo Osti, is represented and distributed by brand agency Four Marketing in the UK, which is 49% owned by Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group. Four Marketing founders and directors Gino Da’Prato, Ben Banks and Charles Perez each hold a stake of 16.9% in the business, making a combined majority of 50.7%.

Several independents across the UK have told Drapers that Four Marketing has been in contact – as recently as a week ago – to inform them that the brand is moving towards a direct-to-consumer distribution model, and will be ceasing trading with smaller independent businesses. Many were informed the autumn/winter 21 collection will be their last.

Drapers understands CP Company is keeping some “top tier” independent accounts, as well as multiple accounts including Frasers Group-owned Flannels, USC and House of Fraser.

CP Company has around 100 UK independent stockists listed on its website. It is unclear exactly how many accounts have been affected by the its withdrawal.

“We are one of the businesses to have been hit by this decision, and it’s absolutely devastating,” the director of one independent menswear indie told Drapers. “CP Company is a huge brand now…

First look: Palace are collaborating with CP Company

Arriving before the year is out, a new collaboration sees irreverent skate brand Palace unite with cult Italian sportswear label CP Company on a limited-edition collection which represents a coming together of two streetwear juggernauts. 

Revealed today and available from 16 December 2022, the limited-edition collection began with Palace mining CP Company’s vast archive – much of which centres around its unique history of garment-dye innovation under founder Massimo Osti who opened the brand in 1971 – for inspiration. 

(Image credit: Courtesy of CP Company)‘The Osti family basically invented everything I like to wear,’ says Lev Tanju, the founder of Palace. ‘Working with CP Company is a big deal for me personally. I've been a massive lifelong fan of what [it] has done for not just my wardrobe but menswear and sportswear in general. They are the innovators that changed everything.’The various pieces include a riff on CP Company’s ‘Montgomery’ duffle (its striped design originally inspired by army blankets), a ‘Palace CP Company’-emblazoned lambswool sweater, and a technical utility shirt, as well a balaclava with in-set goggles (a staple CP Company design). Innovative garment-dyed fabrics are utilised throughout. (Image credit: Courtesy of CP Company)‘I’ve been in love with Palace since

CP Company to relocate London flagship

The CP Company flagship Store is owned and run by UK-based brand agency Four Marketing in the UK, which is 49% owned by Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group. Four Marketing founders and directors Gino Da’Prato, Ben Banks and Charles Perez each hold a stake of 16.9% in CP Company making a combined majority of 50.7%.

Located on 34 Marshall Street, part of the Carnaby Street shopping district, the store showcases the latest collections across two levels.

However, CP Company, which was founded in 1975 by Italian designer Massimo Osti, will be closing the site and relocating to sportswear brand Colmar’s current store in London’s Brewer Street, which is housed between Piccadilly and Regent Street, later this year.

Last year Drapers revealed that CP Company was moving towards a direct-to-consumer distribution model, and was ceasing trading with smaller independent businesses. Many were informed the autumn/winter 21 collection would be their last.

Drapers has contacted CP Company and Colmar for comment.