Jensen Huang’s leather jackets used to seem cool—now they’re a punchline

A once distinctive look

Huang’s collection of leather jackets had recently been viewed as cool, according to the article. Their appeal came from blending fashion with practicality, while giving him a consistent look.

Huang has said in interviews that his wife and daughter bought the jackets for him, and that he does not like shopping for himself. The look was less severe than Steve Jobs’ turtleneck and more distinctive than a standard tech-bro vest, the article said.

Scandal changes the tone

Huang resigned as Nvidia CEO after an affair scandal. The article says reports described a relationship with Alice Huang, a business client alleged to be a Chinese spy, an allegation China denies, as well as relationships with two Nvidia employees.

Jackets become online jokes

Social media posts mocked Huang’s signature look, with jokes imagining him surrendering a jacket or wearing a custom “Sex Jacket.” The Cut wrote that “Jensen Huang’s leather jacket confessed before he did,” while The New York Times wrote that “Jensen Huang betrayed the leather jacket community.” The article argues that the jackets shifted from a quirky fashion choice to a punchline associated with the scandal. Its broader takeaway is that a signature style can become a focus of jokes when a career is under strain.