Bernard Lewis (entrepreneur)
Bernard Lewis | |
|---|---|
| Born | Bernard Pokrasse February 10, 1926 United Kingdom |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Founder of River Island fashion label and retail chain |
Bernard Lewis (originally named Bernard Pokrasse, born 10 February 1926) is a British entrepreneur recognized as the creator and proprietor of the River Island fashion label and retail chain.
Early life
Lewis entered the world in 1926 and received his education at the Jewish Free School followed by the Northern Polytechnic Institute. His initial exposure to business came from working in his family's greengrocery, where he gained insights into pricing strategies, understanding consumer tastes, and minimizing losses. Between 1944 and 1945, he completed military service with the Royal Air Force.
Career
When he was 20 years old, Lewis launched his inaugural fruit and vegetable outlet on Holloway Road in North London. By the late 1940s, he transitioned towards apparel retailing, inaugurating his first clothing shop on Mare Street, Hackney. During the 1970s, he introduced a clothing chain that would become known as Chelsea Girl and also created Lewis Separates.
In partnership with his brothers David and Geoffrey, Lewis formed the Lewis Trust Group; however, David and Geoffrey withdrew from the business in 1977. As of 2015, Bernard Lewis's net worth was estimated at £1,030 million (€1,484 million), placing him 83rd on the Sunday Times Rich List.
The River Island brand is presently overseen by his nephew, Ben Lewis.
Personal life
During the 1970s, Leonard, his eldest son from his first marriage, served as a principal collaborator. In 1968, Lewis wed Jennifer Oldham (known professionally as Jenny Meredith), who passed away in 1975.
He later married Vanessa Bracey in 1981; she had been a Chelsea Girl buyer since 1970 and his companion since 1972. The couple has two sons named Sam and Jacob.