So, you have a meeting with some of the world’s most powerful people — the sorts you may want to impress, especially if you need some moolah. And what does Mark Zuckerberg do? Turn up in a hoodie — the kind of clothing linked to YOBS in London, where stabbing deaths are a real cause of worry.
With a fortune somewhere in the billions, it’s not like Mr Zuckerberg can’t afford the spring collection. Why does he do it then?
Also, this isn’t the first time Mark’s pulled off such a stunt. For a meeting with blue-chip venture-capital firm Sequoia Capital, he showed up deliberately late for an 8 am meeting, in his pajamas. Even Obama was not spared — Mark chose sneakers for the White House party.
Many believe it’s Mark’s attempt at portraying Facebook as a ‘relaxed’ company. His extensive PR machinery may have advised him to project the sort of ‘cool’ that youth of today fight for. But then, there have been critics.
Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter famously said: “Mark and his signature hoodie: He’s actually showing investors he doesn’t care that much; he’s going to be him. I think that’s a mark of immaturity. I think that he has to realise he’s bringing investors in as a new constituency right now, and I think he’s got to show them the respect that they deserve because he’s asking them for their money.”
Immature?
“Mark has worked in that clothing. He must be comfortable in it. If I had the clout, I would wear whatever I was comfortable in. Forget investors,” says Ruchir Mishra, who works for an IT company that has banned half-sleeved shirts — in 40-degree Chennai heat. She adds, “Suits were designed to go with the chairs and the Mercs.”
Illustrator Monisha Miriam also helped us out with a little perspective. “It reflects the growing ideology amongst the new crop that as long as work is done, nothing else matters — timings, clothing, environment… nothing,” says Monisha
And give this a thought too.
We had to bear Steve Jobs and his turtle neck for years. Bill Gates tried to get into that suit and he wasn’t on the cover of Vogue either. It’s now Mark Zuckerberg and his hoodie — the age of the 20-something billionaire.