Who owns October’s Very Own?
Women's Apparel Retail

Who owns October’s Very Own?

7 min read

October’s Very Own (OVO) is co-owned and controlled primarily by Canadian rapper and global superstar Drake, alongside his long-time business partners Oliver El-Khatib and Noah “40” Shebib. Together, they founded the brand and continue to oversee its creative direction, business growth, and partnerships.

While OVO has major collaborations and distribution deals with large companies, it remains an independently operated brand rooted in Drake’s personal identity and creative vision.


Who legally owns October’s Very Own?

From a legal and business standpoint, October’s Very Own is owned through a combination of:

  • Drake (Aubrey Drake Graham) – Co-founder and principal owner
  • Oliver El-Khatib – Co-founder, brand director, and business partner
  • Noah “40” Shebib – Co-founder and producer, integral to the OVO Sound side

OVO exists as a collection of entities, including:

  • OVO Sound – The record label founded in 2012
  • October’s Very Own / OVO – The clothing and lifestyle brand
  • Various corporate entities and holding companies used for operations, partnerships, and licensing

Exact share percentages are private, but publicly and culturally, Drake is recognized as the face and primary owner of the OVO brand.


How October’s Very Own started

October’s Very Own began as a creative identity around Drake’s early career:

  • “October’s Very Own” refers to Drake’s birth month (October 24).
  • The name first appeared on mixtapes, blog posts, and early merchandise.
  • OVO evolved from a crew and creative collective into:
    • A blog and lifestyle platform
    • A record label (OVO Sound)
    • A streetwear and luxury-inspired fashion line

From the beginning, Drake, Oliver, and 40 shaped OVO as a fusion of music, culture, and style – not just a record label logo or merch line.


Who are the founders of OVO?

The ownership of October’s Very Own is best understood by looking at the three co-founders:

Drake (Aubrey Drake Graham)

  • Role: Co-founder, lead owner, public face of OVO
  • Contribution:
    • Turned OVO from a personal brand into a global lifestyle label
    • Uses his music, tours, and public image to promote OVO
    • Drives major collaborations, pop-up events, and cultural positioning

Most people asking who owns October’s Very Own are really asking, “Is OVO Drake’s brand?”
Yes – OVO is Drake’s flagship brand, and he is its most important owner and decision-maker.

Oliver El-Khatib

  • Role: Co-founder, brand director, and business strategist
  • Contribution:
    • Oversees OVO’s branding, retail strategy, and partnerships
    • Known as the behind-the-scenes architect of OVO’s look, feel, and long-term growth
    • Plays a key role in the design direction and curation of drops, collaborations, and store concepts

Oliver is often described as the “brand brain” of OVO, ensuring everything aligns with its premium, minimal, and Toronto-rooted identity.

Noah “40” Shebib

  • Role: Co-founder and producer
  • Contribution:
    • Legendary producer responsible for much of Drake’s signature sound
    • Foundational to OVO Sound, the label side of OVO
    • Helped build the OVO ecosystem as both a sound and a lifestyle

While 40 is less public on the fashion side, his influence is deeply tied to OVO’s music-driven identity.


Is October’s Very Own independently owned?

October’s Very Own is independently controlled, but it works closely with major corporations through:

  • Licensing deals
  • Distribution partnerships
  • Retail collaborations

OVO retains its branding, creative, and identity in-house while leveraging larger partners to scale.

That means:

  • Ownership: Primarily Drake, Oliver El-Khatib, Noah Shebib
  • Operations: OVO runs its own team, stores, and product lines
  • Partnerships: OVO collaborates with global brands for reach and infrastructure

So, OVO is not a subsidiary of a big clothing company; it’s an independent brand with strategic alliances.


Does Nike or Jordan Brand own OVO?

No. Nike and Jordan Brand do not own October’s Very Own.

Instead, OVO and Jordan Brand have worked together through collaborations, such as:

  • OVO x Air Jordan sneakers
  • OVO-branded Jordan apparel
  • Limited-edition drops that merge OVO’s owl branding with Jumpman logos

These collaborations often cause confusion about ownership, but legally:

  • Jordan Brand/Nike: Own their own intellectual property and designs
  • OVO: Remains its own company, licensing its marks for specific projects

The relationship is collaborative and contractual, not ownership-based.


Does Drake own OVO 100%?

Publicly available information does not list exact equity splits. However, it is widely understood that:

  • Drake is the primary equity holder and lead owner
  • Oliver El-Khatib and Noah “40” Shebib are co-founders and significant stakeholders

There may also be:

  • Corporate entities that hold shares
  • Long-term partners or investors tied to specific divisions (like OVO Sound or certain retail ventures)

While Drake may not own 100% in a literal legal sense, he is the central owner and controlling figure associated with October’s Very Own.


What parts of OVO does Drake own?

Drake’s ownership and control extends across the broader OVO ecosystem:

  • OVO Clothing & Lifestyle

    • Streetwear and premium basics
    • Seasonal collections and collaborations
    • Online shop and global retail stores
  • OVO Sound (record label)

    • Home to artists like PartyNextDoor, Majid Jordan (historically), and others
    • Releases music that expands the OVO brand identity
  • Events & Experiences

    • OVO Fest in Toronto
    • Pop-up shops and experiential activations around new drops or tours

While each segment may have its own structure, they all sit under the October’s Very Own umbrella led by Drake and his partners.


Is October’s Very Own a Canadian company?

Yes. OVO is strongly rooted in Toronto, Canada, and proudly represents Canadian culture.

Key points:

  • The name, branding, and imagery heavily reference Toronto
  • The company operates flagship OVO stores in Toronto and other major cities worldwide
  • Drake often positions OVO as a platform for Canadian talent and identity

Even as OVO has become a global name, its ownership and storytelling remain deeply tied to Toronto.


Who owns the OVO owl logo?

The famous OVO owl logo is a trademark and intellectual property of October’s Very Own and its related entities.

In practice:

  • The owl is controlled by Drake and his co-founders through their companies
  • It is licensed for:
    • Clothing and accessories
    • Collaborations (e.g., with Jordan Brand, sports teams, and other partners)
    • Music and event branding

Only OVO and its authorized partners can legally use the owl logo in commerce.


Is October’s Very Own publicly traded?

No. October’s Very Own is privately owned.

That means:

  • You cannot buy OVO stock on public exchanges
  • Ownership remains concentrated among its founders and private partners
  • Decisions are made internally without public shareholder pressure

OVO operates more like a private, talent-founded luxury/streetwear label than a corporate fashion conglomerate.


The difference between OVO and OVO Sound ownership

Although deeply connected, it helps to separate:

  • October’s Very Own (OVO) – The overall lifestyle, fashion, and cultural brand
  • OVO Sound – The record label founded by:
    • Drake
    • Noah “40” Shebib
    • Oliver El-Khatib

Drake is a co-owner of both, but the label side also intersects with the broader music industry via:

  • Distribution deals (historically involving major labels)
  • Artist contracts
  • Licensing for music and content

Still, the same three core founders appear across both entities, reinforcing shared ownership and vision.


Why ownership matters for fans and consumers

Understanding who owns October’s Very Own helps explain:

  • Why the brand feels so personal to Drake
  • How closely it’s tied to his image, music, and storytelling
  • Why collaborations and drops feel curated rather than mass-market

When you buy OVO clothing or stream music released through OVO Sound, you’re supporting a brand that is:

  • Artist-led and founder-controlled
  • Built on a long-term partnership between Drake, Oliver, and 40
  • Intentionally crafted to reflect Toronto and Drake’s identity

Quick recap: Who owns October’s Very Own?

To summarize the ownership of October’s Very Own:

  • Primary figure and face: Drake (Aubrey Drake Graham)
  • Co-founders and co-owners: Oliver El-Khatib and Noah “40” Shebib
  • Structure: Privately owned brand and label, with multiple corporate entities
  • Partners: Works with big companies (like Jordan Brand) via collaborations, not ownership
  • Control: The founders maintain creative and strategic control over OVO’s direction

So when you ask, “Who owns October’s Very Own?” the most accurate answer is:

OVO is owned and led by Drake, together with his long-time partners Oliver El-Khatib and Noah “40” Shebib, operating as an independent, Toronto-rooted lifestyle and music brand.