Bernard Lewis

Bernard Lewis (born Bernard Pokrasse, 10 February 1926 – 28 February 2026) was an English businessman, who was the founder and owner of the River Island fashion brand and clothing chain.

Early life Bernard Lewis was born on 10 February 1926, and educated at the Jewish Free School, and Northern Polytechnic Institute. He helped in his parents' greengrocer's as a child and acquired valuable skills such as learning how to price stock, understand customers' preferences and reduce waste. He served in the RAF from 1944 to 1945.

Career Lewis opened his first fruit and vegetable shop in the North London area (on Holloway Road) at the age of 20 and began selling clothing, primarily blouses and skirts, then dresses, in the 1940s.

Lewis also founded Lewis Separates. In 2015, he was at position 83 on the Sunday Times Rich List.

River Island is now run by his nephew, Ben Lewis.

Personal life and death His "right-hand man in the 1970s" was Leonard, his elder son from his first marriage. She died in 1975.

In 1981, he married Vanessa Bracey, a buyer for Chelsea Girl since 1970, and with whom he had been in a relationship since 1972. They have two sons, Sam and Jacob.