David Rappaport, founder of Damon Creations, died Monday, April 5. He was 95.
Born in Harlem, Rappaport was best known for his men’s wear company Damon, which he founded in 1934 with 700 borrowed dollars and became an industry leader by mid-century.
Starting as neckwear vendor, Damon expanded through the next few decades adding women’s, which was headed by Rappaport’s wife Francesca, and a full line of men’s wear.
By 1973, company volume reach $25 million and the company’s apparel was sold in 4,500 accounts through showrooms in 14 different cities. Women’s Wear Daily, in an article from that time, called the Rappaports “the Rothchilds of knitwear.”
In 1988, Rappaport sold his interest in Damon and turned his attention to painting. His first show in 1997 was held at the Barneys New York flagship in Manhattan, where his pieces graced the store’s windows.
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Making art and ties were demanded similar skills, Rappaport told The New York Times that year. “You must be creative, understand color and how one color affects another color,” he said. “Designing ties is a very broad skill. It can run the gamut from Looney Tunes to classics. Mine are classic.”
Services were held April 7 at the Plaza Jewish Community Chapel in Manhattan.