Early Life
Bernard Lewis, born Bernard Pokrasse, was born on February 10, 1926, in London, England. He was educated at the Jewish Free School and the Northern Polytechnic Institute. Lewis's childhood involved assisting his parents in their greengrocer shop, where he developed crucial business skills, including pricing and understanding customer preferences. He served briefly in the Royal Air Force from 1944 to 1945.
Rise to Success
After World War II, at the age of 20 in 1946, Lewis started his first business, a fruit and vegetable stall in Holloway, north London. He transitioned to clothing retail in the late 1940s, expanding the business through vertical integration and rebranding it as Chelsea Girl in the 1970s to target youth fashion. The business later evolved into River Island. He founded Lewis Separates, and the Lewis Trust Group with his brothers David and Geoffrey (who left the company in 1977).
Key Business Strategies
Bernard Lewis's success in fashion retail stems from his innovative strategies. He focused on understanding customer preferences and adapting to market trends. His ability to vertically integrate his business, from design to distribution, allowed for greater control and efficiency. The transformation of Chelsea Girl into the more upmarket River Island, spearheaded by his son Leonard, shows his adaptability to changing fashion landscapes.
Philanthropy
Data on Bernard Lewis's exact philanthropy amounts is not readily available through online searches.