Laurence Lewin

Laurence Lewin (20 May 1944 – 12 November 2008) was an English-born Canadian accountant, computer programmer and entrepreneur, who was one of the co-founders of lingerie firm La Senza.^[1]^[2]

Born20 May 1944

United Kingdom

Died12 November 2008 (aged 64)

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

OthernameLaurie

KnownforCo-founded a lingerie firm, appeared on Dragons' Den (Canadian TV series)

Quick facts Born, Died ...

Laurence Lewin
Born	(1944-05-20)20 May 1944 United Kingdom
Died	12 November 2008(2008-11-12) (aged 64) Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Other name	Laurie
Known for	Co-founded a lingerie firm, appeared on Dragons' Den (Canadian TV series)

Lewin was working at clothing retailer Suzy Shier, in 1990, when he co-founded La Senza, a lingerie firm that was eventually licensed to 700 retail outlets around the world.^[3]

On 6 April 2006, La Senza issued a press release, quoting Lewin, to try to clarify its position as to whether one of its brassieres infringed a Victoria's Secret design.^[4]

The firm was acquired by lingerie giant Victoria's Secret, on 12 October 2006, for $710 million CAD.^[5]^[6]

Lewin immigrated from the United Kingdom to Canada, and settled in Montreal in the 1970s.^[7]

Lewin appeared on the first two seasons of the Canadian Dragons' Den TV series.^[7]

[1]
"La Senza Head Dies". Canadian Jewish News. Montreal. 27 November 2008. Retrieved 2 February 2018. Laurence Lewin, the president and co-founder of the La Senza lingerie chain who appeared as a judge on CBC TV's Dragon's Den in 2006, died Nov. 12 after battling lung cancer.
[2]
Arlene Dickinson (14 November 2008). "Goodbye to a friend: Laurence Lewin". CBC News. Retrieved 2 February 2018. On behalf of Jim, Kevin and Robert I would like to express our deepest sympathy to the family of Laurence Lewin. He was a mentor, friend and inspiration to all of us on the show.
[3]
"Dragon attack: Laurence Lewin, La Senza". Profit Guide. 27 September 2007. Retrieved 2 February 2018. In 1990, while working for apparel retailer Suzy Shier in Montreal, accountant-turned-computer programmer Laurence Lewin co-founded La Senza, a lingerie retailer that today boasts more than 700 stores around the world.
[4]
"La Senza and Victoria's Secret". La Senza. Montreal. 6 April 2006. Retrieved 2 February 2018. Laurence Lewin, President of La Senza Corporation said today, that he felt obliged to issue some sort of clarification due to misstatements of fact that appear to be reported in some elements of the media.
[5]
"Limited Brands buys La Senza". The Globe and Mail. Montreal. 15 November 2006. Retrieved 2 February 2018. As part of the deal, Mr. Teitelbaum and vice-chairman Stephen Gross will remain in their respective positions, together with Laurence Lewin, president and chief operating officer who co-founded La Senza in 1990.
[6]
"La Senza takes on Beauty! - Lingerie leader to launch Victoria's Secret Beauty in its Canadian stores". Newswire. Montreal. 15 October 2006. Archived from the original on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018. 'We are very excited to be introducing the Victoria's Secret Beauty line into Canada,' says Laurence Lewin, president and co-founder of the La Senza Corporation. 'This arrangement is ideal for La Senza and Victoria's Secret Beauty and the line coordinates perfectly with the image of La Senza and offers our customers an outstanding shopping experience. This is a volume business.'
[7]
"Deaths". Montreal Gazette. 13 November 2008. Archived from the original on 23 January 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2018.

References

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