In his lifetime, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs was behind the innovation of gadgets that changed the world of mobile phones and computers as well become known for his fashion statement.

Often seen in his signature black turtle neck, Mr Jobs also once wore brighter colours, according to photos recently discovered by a former Apple employee. The occasion when he wore purple was in 1996 when he returned to Apple.

Original source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tpoholmes/sets/72157633089256151/with/8590667121/

Mr Jobs was fired in 1985 from the tech company he co-founded for allegedly organising a board uprising, but after 11 years he was invited back to Apple.

The photo was shared by former Mac OS expert Tim Holmes who was working late one night when he was invited to attend a town hall meeting often used to make company announcements.

The event was used to reintroduce Mr Jobs as the incoming chief, which was timely because a year after he rejoined Apple, the CEO, Gil Amelio, was removed from his position.

Mr Holmes, recounted in his Flickr account that Mr Jobs actually wore black, not purple. The difference was because of a technical glitch of the Apple QuickTake, one of the tech company's first cameras, which eventually led to the stop in production of the shooter.

In case you didn't notice, the fellow beside Mr Jobs was also in purple, which gives credence to the explanation of Mr Holmes why the colour purple appeared to be the fashion trend for that night.

One interesting fact is that in the same year that Mr Jobs was fired, a film titled The Color Purple was shown, directed by Steven Spielberg and had Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey among its stars.

Here is the trailer of the film.