Microsoft employees have revealed that Bill Gates used a custom-made mannequin of himself to plan his outfits, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The mannequin was used to test how clothes would fit before Gates wore them to social engagements.
Gates's wardrobe reportedly included a large number of neutral-tone crew and V-neck sweaters, shirts, trousers, and spare pairs of glasses. Staff would assemble three potential outfits for each event, which were then sent for approval by senior staff after being tested on the mannequin.
The goal was to cultivate an image of Gates as 'someone calm and approachable', inspired by American TV icon Mister Rogers, host of the long-running children's show Mister Rogers' Neighbourhood. By 2019, Gates was the most admired public figure in the US, ahead of Pope Francis and the Dalai Lama, according to the report.
However, Gates's image has suffered in recent years, with a 40% increase in critical news narratives about him since his name appeared in the Epstein Files. Gates has admitted to having affairs with Russian women and described spending time with Jeffrey Epstein as a 'huge mistake'.
A spokesperson for Gates previously denied allegations from Epstein, calling them 'absolutely absurd and completely false'. Gates has stated he never spent time with Epstein's victims and ended their association when philanthropic funding failed to materialise.
