David Lewis, the founder of fashion chain River Island, died this morning, aged 87.
Lewis, who was awarded a CBE in 1995, was diagnosed with cancer last year.
Lewis and his three brothers first opened Lewis, a womenswear store, in Hackney in 1948. From there, it expanded into a chain of stores across the UK. By 1980, most of the shops had been rebranded as Chelsea Girl. Eight years later, River Island began to replace Chelsea Girl.
Lewis also set up hotel chain Isrotel 30 years ago. It now has 12 hotels and spas across Israel, including the Carmel Spa near Haifa and the Isrotel Tower in Tel Aviv. He was credited with transforming Eilat into a popular tourist resort after opening the Isrotel King Solomon Hotel there in 1980.
Lewis and his family supported a number of causes, including the Schneider Children’s Hospital Medical Centre of Israel. He received the Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation Business Lifetime Achievement Award last year.
Lewis and his wife Ruth, who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year, had five children and 11 grandchildren.
annabel.dixon@estatesgazette.com
