Steve Jobs on Mock Turtlenecks and Jeans

[MacRumors]

Steve Jobs was famous for his wardrobe of black mock turtlenecks and Levi's 501 jeans, but the story of what inspired him to adopt the basic but unique uniform has never really been revealed in detail.

Gawker now shares an excerpt from Walter Isaacson's upcoming biography of Jobs, revealing the history behind the wardrobe choice. According to Isaacson, the idea of a corporate uniform first came to Jobs on a visit to Sony's facilities in Japan, where he was struck by the way uniforms for employees helped create an identity bonding them to the company. Born out of necessity for Sony after World War II when the company's workers had few clothes of their own, Jobs briefly sought to bring the idea of corporate uniforms at Apple.

Sony, with its appreciation for style, had gotten the famous designer Issey Miyake to create its uniform. It was a jacket made of rip-stop nylon with sleeves that could unzip to make it a vest. So Jobs called Issey Miyake and asked him to design a vest for Apple, Jobs recalled, "I came back with some samples and told everyone it would great if we would all wear these vests. Oh man, did I get booed off the stage. Everybody hated the idea."

Despite being shot down by Apple employees, Jobs adopted the idea of a uniform for himself for the sake of convenience and identity, and drew on his friendship with Miyake to create his signature look.

"So I asked Issey to make me some of his black turtlenecks that I liked, and he made me like a hundred of them." Jobs noticed my surprise when he told this story, so he showed them stacked up in the closet. "That's what I wear," he said. "I have enough to last for the rest of my life."

It's not clear when Jobs related that story to Isaacson, but as Gawker notes, the closing quote comes with a whole new perspective following Jobs' death last week.

Article Link: Steve Jobs on Mock Turtlenecks and Jeans

 

[r2shyyou]

"I have enough to last for the rest of my life."

Damn.

 

[aprofetto8]

I need to get myself some turtlenecks.

 

[ECUpirate44]

He wore them once and then threw it out? I hope at least one can make it to a museum one day.

 

[omnipotent*fart]

Aww I like that story. And that he listened to his employees about the uniforms

He wore them once and threw them out?

I doubt it, he'd been wearing them for a long time before like July.

 

[Noctilux.95]

They should sell all his turtle necks on Ebay and raise enough funds to fund the next iPhone

 

[Bobbytoad]

How can some one have such an incredible eye for designing electronic items but have such dreadful dress sense!
A legend all the same!

 

[Ashwee]

"Gotten" is a awful word, i dont even think its a word, silly americanisms

 

[inigel]

Looks like that Issey Miyake bloke didn't make enough of the sweaters.

 

[troop231]

What was the exact model of Levi's Jobs wore? Edit: 501s.

 

[ghostface147]

While he did enjoy the simple life in a way, at least change up something. Maybe the white was too hard to manufacture.

 

[chrmjenkins]

He wore them once and then threw it out? I hope at least one can make it to a museum one day.

I don't think that's what he means. He probably meant that he had so many that they would be washed so infrequently so as to not appreciably fade. Of course, the proximity of the quote to his death would be a great insight as to what he truly meant.

 

[sananda]

Only 100?

So they aren't St Croix then.

 

[Abyssgh0st]

Only 100?

So they aren't St Croix then.

That would mean he would need to do wash (if he did them all at once) about 4 times a year.. that's nothing.

 

[CrackedButter]

I wish I hadn't read that, I feel some of Job's mystery has left him now, however cute the story was.

Saying that though, I would like a turtle neck sweater in black.

 

[evanmarx]

Original Designer?

So...who is it now? Was it Issey Miyake or was it http://www.stcroixshop.com? or did he switch brands....

 

[gramirez2012]

What an interesting man. Can't wait to read the biography.

 

[UnseenLlama]

I need to get myself some turtlenecks.

No, create your own style.

 

[JPark]

This sort of reminds me of Mr. Magoo who knew he was running out of time because his shoes were almost worn out.

Edit: Mr. Magorium, not Magoo. (and certainly not Miyagi)

 

[DESNOS]

Just to be clear, the whole "bonding to the company" thing is more Japanese culture than any business decision, but it is very telling nonetheless.

 

[Le Buzz]

501's. The original and still the best jeans in the world. Steve had great taste in jeans. He knew that you can't beat the real thing.

 

[Consultant]

Photos or it didn't happen =p

I thought the common opinion is that it saves time.

 

[Telp]

This sort of reminds me of Mr. Magoo who knew he was running out of time because his shoes were almost worn out.

I think you're thinking of Mr. Magorium? Either way, that's the first thing I thought of to.

 

[Abyssgh0st]

So...who is it now? Was it Issey Miyake or was it http://www.stcroixshop.com? or did he switch brands....

I don't think St. Croix is claiming to be the original designer, they are just paying tribute to Steve Jobs and saying that he was a fan of St. Croix. Theoretically he could have one item from them, or have corresponded with them at some point and they could say that qualifies him as being a 'fan.'

 

[marcusj0015]

I think you're thinking of Mr. Magorium? Either way, that's the first thing I thought of to.

as in Mr. Magorium's wonder imporium?

LOL NO.

The Karate Kid.... the original not the will smiths son remix from like last year.