Remembering Martin Greenfield: Legendary Tailor for US Presidents and Holocaust Survivor

Martin Greenfield, a legendary tailor known for dressing six US presidents, numerous A-list actors, and professional athletes, passed away on March 20 at the age of 95, as confirmed by his sons Jay, Tod, and David Greenfield.

Referred to as "America's greatest living tailor" by GQ and other media sources, Greenfield established his renowned menswear store, Martin Greenfield Clothiers, in Brooklyn in 1977 following three decades of experience working in a clothing factory.

For years, famous figures in American culture such as Frank Sinatra, Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio, and LeBron James have been seen wearing his custom, handmade suits. In addition, Greenfield has also dressed six US Presidents.

In a 2016 video interview with Great Big Story, Greenfield described his work as a unique craft that involves creating clothing, taking measurements, and fitting people. He believes that his skills in these areas set him apart from others in the industry.

Greenfield made suits for a number of film and TV productions, among them the 2013 film adaptation of "The Great Gatsby" starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Greenfield made suits for a number of film and TV productions, among them the 2013 film adaptation of "The Great Gatsby" starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Maximilian Grünfeld, later known as Greenfield, was born in 1928 in Pavlovo, a village in what was then Czechoslovakia and is now part of Ukraine. When he was just 16 years old in 1944, the Nazis forced him and his family from their home and onto a train headed to Auschwitz. There, he was tragically separated from his parents and siblings, enduring over a year of incarceration. Out of his entire family, which included his mother, father, two sisters, and brother, Greenfield was the sole survivor.

Greenfield learned valuable skills that would shape his career while he was at the infamous concentration camp.

One day, while he was tasked with washing Nazi uniforms, he accidentally tore a soldier's shirt. As a result, he was subjected to a brutal beating, as detailed in his memoir "Measure of a Man: From Auschwitz Survivor to Presidents' Tailor." Despite the punishment, he kept the torn shirt and learned how to mend it from a fellow prisoner. Greenfield decided to wear the repaired garment underneath his prison uniform, and he noticed that people began to show him more respect. Feeling empowered by the shirt, he even risked tearing another one so he could have two.

In his memoir, Greenfield shared the remarkable story of how two ripped Nazi shirts surprisingly played a role in helping him establish America's most renowned custom-suit company. He humorously remarked, "God must have a great sense of humor."

Alban Roinard/Courtesy Friedman Gallery

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The painter, now known as Martin Greenfield, immigrated to the US in 1947 and changed his name to sound more American. Starting as a floor boy at a clothing factory in Brooklyn, he worked his way up to become the production manager. Eventually, he bought the factory and started his own business.

Greenfield was proud of introducing Eisenhower to three-piece suits. He mentioned in an interview with Great Big Story that after Eisenhower got his first three-piece suit, he was always seen wearing them.

Aside from Eisenhower, Greenfield also dressed Presidents Gerald Ford, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden. However, he was most known for his designs for President Obama, who was often praised for his sharp dressing style.

Greenfield created many suits for President Barack Obama, including the famous tan suit that caused a stir in 2014. This suit was different from the President's usual charcoal or navy outfits, and it sparked a lot of attention and controversy in the headlines.

Greenfield made countless suits for President Barack Obama, including the infamous tan suit that caused uproar in 2014. The suit, a departure from the President’s usual charcoal or navy ensembles, was the source of sustained, headline-grabbing controversy.

In 2010, Greenfield was asked by the White House to make suits for Obama. According to his memoir, the President did not want to be measured. Instead, he requested Greenfield to copy the sizing details of one of his current suits. However, Greenfield declined to do so.

Martin Greenfield doesn't imitate anyone's suits. Instead, everyone imitates Martin Greenfield's suits.

Obama eventually agreed to be fitted by Greenfield, marking the start of a successful and lasting fashion partnership. Greenfield mentioned, "In fact, almost every suit he has worn since February 2011 has been one of ours."

Greenfield has not only dressed politicians and dignitaries but has also collaborated with iconic figures like Sinatra and Denzel Washington. His work also extends to Hollywood, where he crafted 1920s-style suits for the TV series “Boardwalk Empire” and designed costumes for movies like “Argo,” “The Wolf of Wall Street,” and “The Great Gatsby.” One of his most memorable movie moments is the vibrant red suit and neon orange waistcoat worn by Joaquin Phoenix in the 2019 film “Joker.”

Greenfield's business made costumes for a number of Hollywood productions, including the red suit and orange waistcoast Joaquin Phoenix wore in the 2019 film "Joker."

Greenfield's business created costumes for several Hollywood productions. One notable example is the red suit and orange waistcoat worn by Joaquin Phoenix in the 2019 film "Joker." The outfit was featured in the movie and caught the attention of many viewers.

After Greenfield retired, his sons Jay and Tod took over the family business, according to the Martin Greenfield Clothiers’ website. However, Greenfield's commitment to quality and meticulous attention to detail has remained unchanged: The clothes are still lovingly crafted by hand in Brooklyn.

“Martin Greenfield dedicated 71 years to working at the factory, where he enjoyed meeting, dressing, and befriending world leaders, celebrities, athletes, and people from all walks of life,” his sons shared in a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. “May his memory continue to inspire and bring joy to all those who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Editor's P/S:

Martin Greenfield's life is a testament to the human spirit's resilience and the power of perseverance. Despite the unimaginable horrors he endured during the Holocaust, he emerged as a master tailor whose work graced some of the most famous and influential people in the world. His story reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and that the human spirit has the capacity to triumph over adversity.

Greenfield's attention to detail and commitment to quality were evident in everything he did. He believed that clothing should not only be well-made but also reflect the personality of the wearer. His suits were not just garments; they were works of art that helped his clients feel confident and empowered. Greenfield's legacy will live on through his sons, who have continued his tradition of excellence at Martin Greenfield Clothiers. His work will continue to inspire and bring joy to all who appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of a well-made suit.