Designer Michel Kramer-Metraux, who died on Dec. 4 from colon cancer, is remembered as a true European gentleman.
Born in Lyon, France, known as the city of jacquard, Kramer-Metraux’s father was a silk purveyor to the international neckwear trade.
After studying textiles, the CFDA Member was invited to the U.S. and soon opened Michel Cravat in New York City. During his career, he created men’s furnishings from neckties to pocket squares for the likes of Halston, Sulka, Lacoste, Lacoste, Pan Am and many private clients and retailers. For example, he made a logo tie for Saks Fifth Avenue, as well as for the CFDA’s 50th anniversary in 2012, which President and CEO Steven Kolb wore to the opening of the “Impact: 50 Years of the CFDA” exhibition at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
“Michel Kramer was the ultimate gentleman, and a consummate designer for all things menswear, particularly neckwear and furnishings,” said Jeffrey Banks.
Stan Herman called him “nice, gentle European man who loved being in the CFDA. He was such a cultured human being and very fine artist in his own specific field.”
To honor Kramer-Metraux’s memory, CFDA.com recalls his personal reflections from “The Pursuit of Style: Advice and Musings from America’s Top Fashion Designer,” the CFDA book published by Abrams in 2014:
My Favorite Item I’ve Ever Designed Is:
A series of conversation ties inspired by Erté designs
Always: Get up, take your saber and charge!
Never: Stay in bed lazily
I feel the most alive, when:
I dance slowly to Italian music
When I’m in love, I usually:
Hum and dance