This is 30! & Isn’t it iconic

This is 30! & Isn’t it iconic

This Autumn we celebrate thirty years of River Island. To commemorate three decades of unique style, we asked founders, friends and fans of the brand to share their favourite RI moments. Did we mention the video debuts our limited-edition anniversary collection…?

Hitting 30 is a landmark moment, a coming of age that means you know what you’re about. At thirty, we think we’ve mastered the art of celebrating you and your insatiable love of fashion. Island life is not about rules. Since the Lewis family opened its first River Island in 1988, the mission has been clear - to bring you distinctive design and enjoy watching you style it, however suits you.

 
From 1940s clothing store Lewis Separates, to Chelsea Girl & Concept Man, and finally the opening of our first River Island store in 1988 by Bernard's son, Leonard, the seed for the brand you know (and hopefully love), was planted long ago. We won’t give you a history lesson, you’ve got Wikipedia for that, but from a collaboration with Rihanna to sponsoring Graduate Fashion Week and working with new designers through our established Design Forum, it’s been a rich history rooted in design (and we’re pretty proud tbf). As well as design, we’ve built a strong link with charities, starting with the Newlife Charity, the organisation for disabled children that Leonard co-founded in 1991.

People have always been at the heart of River Island, so it felt right to celebrate our 30th Birthday with a special group of them. Sharing their fondest memories and talking about how RI has dressed their best moments are our founders, friends and fans. Stay tuned and we’ll introduce you to them a little more personally, but for now here’s a rundown of our RI30 Reps…

“We hope you like wearing the clothes, we hope it gives you a sense of excitement each time put them on. We like to think you feel better in them.” - Bernard Lewis

“Every day is a happy day on the Island.” - Farida Kaikobad

“I’ll be turning 30 at the same time as RI, I’ll party with all my friends and family, wearing River Island clothes obviously.” - Florence

“The first time I interviewed David Beckham, I was wearing a River Island shirt and he gave me a bit of a nod as if to say, nice shirt” - Matt Hambly

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About the RI30 Collection


We’re celebrating with an iconic anniversary collection of premium clothing and accessories. Limited edition and designed in house for men, women and kids, it heroes the best of River Island from the past three decades.
Inspired by everything you've loved about RI for 30 years, expect that unique design twist, only found on the Island.