Henry Grethel

On June 8, 2009, Henry Grethel received the Icon of Style Award from Syracuse University. For Grethel, who has been honored many times during his long career, this was a special award; "There have been only a handful of moments in my career that have touched my heart and for which I am forever grateful: 1) when I first created the John Henry line; 2) when I first designed my own Henry Grethel collection; 3) when I became the first designer to create uniforms for the U.S. Olympic team (and especially seeing the team at opening ceremonies in Barcelona proudly sporting those uniforms); and 4) receiving this Icon of Style award from my alma mater."

By 2005, Grethel was president of HG Design International, Henry Grethel Apparel. The company designs clothing in classic designs.

During 1998, Grethel was presented the Syracuse University Outstanding Alumni Award.

During 1995, he was president of Henry Grethel Apparel, part of Hartmarx Corp.

After viewing some of his sketches, the United States Olympic Committee invited Henry Grethel to design and oversee production of both the winter and summer parade uniforms for Team USA for the 1992 Olympics. Grethel designed separate outfits for the opening ceremonies of the XXV Olympiad winter games in Albertville and the summer games in Barcelona.

The opening parade is the most viewed event of the Games, and the 1992 winter event was viewed by more than 1.5 billion viewers worldwide. An audience of 3.5 billion people were watching when the parade uniforms made their international debut in the summer opening ceremonies in Barcelona during June 1992.

He was married to Arlene J. Grethel and had five children who were raised in Wilton, Connecticut. The couple divorced during 1983 and he married a second time to Anna Grethel during June, 1984.

Two of his children are also Syracuse University alumni, David Grethel 1982 and Michele Grethel 1988. Son, Todd Grethel was a graduate of Fashion Institute of Technology '83.

Grethel's name was seen first with other trade names: Henry Grethel for Lanvin, Henry Grethel for Pierre Cardin. However,during 1978, as president of Manhattan Shirt Company, he started designing using his own name alone, first a men's collection, then women's, sportswear and dress wear.

During 1974, he introduced John Henry style shirts and by 1976 autumn the John Henry for women line was initiated.

During 1971 Grethel became president of Eagle Shirtmakers. During July 1973, Grethel, age 41, was named president of the Manhattan Shirt Company.

During 1965 he was promoted to product manager of the Hathaway "Club Line." Soon afterward he was promoted to product manager and stylist for the company's dress shirt division. By 1968, Grethel was appointed to a newly created job at Hathaway, by then a division of Warnaro Inc., as vice-president of merchandising and marketing.

While in college, Grethel interviewed with C. P. Hathaway Company, a designer and manufacturer of men's shirts, however, he accepted a "practical" job with Recordak Corp., subsidiary of Eastman Kodak Co. in New York City where he spent 2½ years "microfilming" records. During 1957 Grethel finally quit his job at Eastman Kodak and accepted a job with Hathaway. The company offices were located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he quickly relocated.

Henry graduated from North High School in Syracuse during June 1949. By September 1950, he was a student at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. He transferred to Syracuse University during September 1951, and attended the College of Business Administration where he was a marketing major. His major topic of study was "sales marketing". He graduated from Syracuse University during June 1954, at age 22 with a Bachelor of Science degree and was selected as "Outstanding" student in the topic of marketing. The selection was based on his scholastic record as well as his contributions to the college concerning his topic of study.

When Henry was 12, his older brother, Sergeant Frederick W. Grethel, Jr., 22, a glider pilot during World War II, was killed in action on June 19, 1944, in the American airborne landings in Normandy. He was a member of the U.S. Army, 401st Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division and was awarded the Purple Heart. Fred was buried in Colleville-sur-Mer, France at the Normandy American Cemetery.

Henry E. Grethel (born November 20, 1931) is an American fashion designer, merchandiser and marketer. He was born in Syracuse, New York, and is known for his American sportswear collections which make use of sophisticated colors and fine fabrics. Since 1978, when his first collection debuted, Grethel has been concerned mainly with the design and manufacture of apparel for both men and women. He also spent many years designing shirts for Lanvin, Pierre Cardin and Christian Dior

Henry Grethel was born during 1931 and was youngest of five children. He is the son of Frederick Grethel (1888–1967) of Syracuse and Mary Elizabeth Mellen (1893–1976) of Williamstown, New York. Together, Fred and Mary had five children, in order: Leona Grethel (born 1917), Carolyn Evelyn Grethel (1918–1997), Anna Mae Grethel (born 1921), Frederick W. "Fred" Grethel, Jr. (1923–1944) and Henry E. Grethel (born 1931). Henry was raised on Ross Park on the city's north side. His father, the son of German immigrants, was a "master plumber" and owned his own plumbing shop in Syracuse.

Frederick Grethel Sr. (1888–1967), Henry's father, was the son of Gustave M. Grethel (1849–1916) who was born during April 1849, in Baden Wuerttemberg, Germany. By October 17, 1887, Gustave was a member of the Baker's Union in Syracuse.