Born in London, England, in 1926, Bernard Lewis (Bernard Pokrasse) is a British billionaire businessman and the founder and owner of the iconic fashion brand River Island. His early life was characterized by a strong work ethic and the experience of running a small family business. He was educated at the Jewish Free School and the Northern Polytechnic Institute and served in the RAF from 1944 to 1945.

His entrepreneurial career began early: he helped his parents in their greengrocer shop, where he learned valuable, hands-on skills in pricing stock, inventory management, and understanding customer preferences. At the age of 20, he opened his first fruit and vegetable shop in North London. He quickly pivoted, realizing the potential in fashion, and by the late 1940s, began selling clothing, marking the start of a decades-long career in fashion retail.

Bernard Lewis’s career is a masterclass in fashion retail innovation and brand building. In the 1970s, he launched a highly successful chain of clothing stores initially called Chelsea Girl. The concept was fresh and aimed at the burgeoning young women's market. He also founded Lewis Separates, recognizing the retail trend of allowing customers to mix and match different pieces.

In the 1980s, the company was consolidated and rebranded, eventually evolving into the iconic River Island fashion brand. Lewis founded the Lewis Trust Group with his brothers (who later left the company), building a massive, privately held retail empire. His major achievement was establishing a dominant, high-street brand known for trend-led, affordable fashion. Although now in his 90s, the day-to-day management of River Island is largely run by his nephew, Ben Lewis, ensuring the continuity of the Lewis family's control over the massive fashion fortune.

Bernard Lewis’s philanthropy is often channeled through Jewish community organizations and cultural institutions, reflecting his heritage (Jewish Free School). His family’s Lewis Trust Group maintains a significant commitment to charitable causes and community support.

His structural social impact is the successful creation of a massive number of high-street retail jobs in the U.K. and globally. For his contributions to the British fashion industry, he was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 2006 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the British Fashion Council in 2003, cementing his legacy as a national industrial and cultural figure.

Bernard Lewis maintains the refined, established style of a British business titan. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored suits and classic menswear, reflective of his status as a CBE and a powerful figure in the retail world. His aesthetic is one of long-term, quiet success.

Residing in London, his luxury is the absolute control over his iconic, privately held fashion empire. His family life has seen both success and tragedy, with the loss of his first wife and his commitment to his children. His wealth is a testament to his ability to read the high-street fashion market over seven decades, successfully adapting from greengrocer to fashion magnate.