Elizabeth Holmes used signature black turtlenecks to project image

Elizabeth Holmes, the disgraced former CEO of Theranos currently serving an 11-year prison sentence for fraud, has become as recognizable for her signature wardrobe as for her discredited blood-testing technology. Holmes reportedly owns approximately 150 identical black turtlenecks, a style she described as a “uniform” intended to conserve mental energy for her work.

Reports indicate that Holmes adopted this look after being inspired by Apple founder Steve Jobs. Former employees suggest she transitioned from more casual attire to the austere monochrome style, even seeking out the same Japanese designer, Issey Miyake, used by Jobs.

During her tenure at Theranos, Holmes used this carefully curated persona to project a specific image. Journalists from Wired noted that while there were red flags regarding the company’s lack of peer-reviewed data, Holmes’s highly stylized performances and professional image contributed to the difficulty in uncovering the company’s internal issues.