Debra Reiss, Heir to British Jewish Fashion Brand, Dies at 34
Image by WireImage
Debra Reiss, heir to the eponymous British fashion brand, has died after reportedly suffering from a long-term illness. She was pregnant with her second child, according to
The 34-year-old worked in her family’s clothing company, Reiss, as brand director in Los Angeles.
She is survived by her partner, Zane Williams, and their first daughter, Scarlett, born last year.
Her father, Jewish entrepreneur David Reiss, 72, took over the business from his father in 1971. Now, Reiss designs can be found in New York’s Bloomingdales and 14 other countries. In August Reiss announced they will open their first Australian store in Melbourne in 2016.
Reiss received a tremendous boost in sales and interest due to their most high-profile client, Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton. She wore a £159 Reiss dress for her official engagement photo with Prince William in 2010, and a £220 Reiss dress during her meeting with Barack and Michelle Obama a year later.
A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.
If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
