The thoughts, conversations, posts, and articles about the innovations of Steve Jobs will likely go on for quite a while. After all, there is so much to talk about. He made Apple Computers what it is today.
The laundry list of products that have made Steve Jobs famous is impressive in itself. What’s maybe even more impressive is that now he’s being remembered as a style icon of sorts. That signature black turtleneck that Jobs was known for sporting to all his product launches and press releases is making quite the media splash right now.
The black turtleneck didn’t happen overnight though. In fact, it sort of happened by chance, after Jobs took a trip to Japan to visit the infamous Sony in the 1980s. While visiting with Akio Morita, Sony’s chairman, Jobs noticed that all of the Sony employees wore a standard uniform. Intrigued, Jobs inquired about the purpose of everyone dressing the same.
Morita explained to Jobs that the company needed to supply workers with clothing after World War II since so many people had been left with nothing. Over time the uniforms grew into a sort of bonding experience for the company. It was then that Jobs decided he wanted to recreate this bonding with Apple employees and tried to launch a universal vest that employees could wear. This idea, to Jobs dismay, was met with strong opposition.
“I came back with some samples and told everyone it would be great if we would all wear these vests,” Jobs said. “Oh man, did I get booed off the stage. Everybody hated the idea.”
What do you do when met with such an unfavorable response? Jobs decided to incorporate his own personal uniform, and thus the Jobs attire was born: black turtleneck, Levi’s and grey New Balance shoes. It’s unlikely that he knew at the time what this self-imposed uniform was going to do in terms of branding himself.
Jobs was such a fan of the look that he had hundreds of the turtlenecks – specifically the St. Croix $175 microfiber mock turtleneck in black.
“That’s what I wear. I have enough to last me for the rest of my life,” Jobs said in an interview with Walter Isaacson.
It should come as no shock that the turtlenecks have soared in popularity and are currently sold out on the St. Croix website.
“We mourn the passing of Apple co-founder and visionary, Steve Jobs. Jobs understood the value of combining great design with advanced technology to create products of unparalleled quality. At St. Croix, we share that vision and passion, and commemorate his iconic look—handcrafted in Minnesota,” the website states in their own tribute to his passing.
It should also come as no surprise that there are going to be an overwhelming number of Steve Jobs impersonators for Halloween, and that there is even a “Black Turtleneck Friday” on October 14. The legendary innovator has left a lasting impression on the world in more ways than one, and right now just about everyone is looking to pay some sort of esteem to his life.
This Guest post is by Christine Kane from internet service providers, she is a graduate of Communication and Journalism. She enjoys writing about a wide-variety of subjects for different blogs. She can be reached via email at: Christi.Kane00 @ gmail.com
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