He also spent many years designing shirts for Lanvin, Pierre Cardin and Christian Dior[3] In addition to holding executive positions with such major apparel companies as C. F. Hathaway Company, Eagle Shirtmakers, and Manhattan Industries, Grethel originated and developed the John Henry brand of men's and women's wear.
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 graduated from Syracuse University in June 1954, at age 22 with a Bachelor of Science degree and was selected as "Outstanding" student in the topic of marketing.
[4] During his years at Syracuse, Grethel was social chairman of Sigma Chi fraternity, a popular organization on campus, and was treasurer of the American Marketing Association.
[4] He worked during college with a sales job at Wells & Coverly, a stylish men's clothing store located on South Salina Street in Downtown Syracuse, now defunct.
[9] 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.
However, In 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.
[18] Grethel chose colorful shades of berry, frost and cobalt which are stylish versions of red, white and blue trimmed with gold.
He participated with the design of overcoats, pants, hand-knit sweaters as well as accessories such as fedoras, leather gloves, boots and stadium scarves.
"[3] To make the summer uniforms feel as cool and comfortable as possible in the Barcelona heat, Grethel selected the lightest cottons and tropical wools, and had the garments cut with a loose, easy fit.
[3] 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.
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.