Former US President Donald Trump made a surprise cameo at SneakerCon on Saturday to announce the release of sneakers. During the ceremony, Trump signed sneakers for the bidders. One of the attendees paid $9,000 for Trump’s first-ever signature pair of gilded “Never Surrender high-tops”. Roman Sharf, the founder and CEO of Luxury Bazaar, showed off the specially signed Donald Trump sneakers at Sneaker Con after winning the auction. The Russian CEO took to social media and posted a video in which he can be seen laughing and speaking to members of the audience while proudly displaying the golden sneakers that he outbid other bidders. The sneakers, which have an American flag on the back, cost $399.
Sharf now resides in Philadelphia and characterizes himself as “one of the world’s largest grey market watch dealers”
The footwear, which was limited to only 1000 pairs, reportedly sold out in less than two hours after they were released. “We are going to have a winning celebration come this November, and I’ll be wearing these one-of-one Donald Trump-signed sneakers,” Sharf stated after winning. He then stated on social media that he intends to hand the sneakers down to his children. “But for now will display in the office,” he wrote on X. Born in the Soviet Union. Sharf now resides in Philadelphia and characterizes himself as “one of the world’s largest grey market watch dealers,” which trade expensive watches “without being authorised by the brand to do so on their behalf.”
He told WatchPro that his company employs around 30 individuals and generates approximately $130 million in sales each year. According to luxurybazaar.com, Roman Sharf started working as a newspaper deliveryman shortly after arriving in the United States. Later, at the age of 18, he decided to join the United States Army. After serving in the military, he enrolled at Penn State University to study electrical engineering. However, he quickly became interested in computer science. His banking career began at Fleet. Sharf was promoted to vice president at Deutsche Bank, where he oversaw local payment systems that processed $40 billion in transactions every month.
Sharf’s YouTube account has over 436K subscribers
Following the 9/11 attacks, Sharf chose to develop the Luxury Bazaar brand, resulting in a 10% reduction in Deutsche Bank personnel. Sharf launched the company as a single venture from his basement and grew it into a huge success. He has traversed the world and established a solid reputation in the upscale watch industry. He has established himself as a dominant force in the wholesale and retail watch and jewellery industries, drawing on a unique combination of financial acumen and commercial experience garnered during his early career and managerial position at a multinational bank. Sharf’s YouTube account has over 436K subscribers.
Meanwhile, Trump launched his sneaker brand at the ‘Sneaker Con’ event in Philadelphia, telling the crowd “I’ve wanted to do this for a long time.” The shoes, which are brilliant gold high tops with an American flag accent on the back, are marketed on a website for $399 as Never Surrender High-Tops. The new website also sells Trump-branded Victory47 cologne and perfume for $99. While the website claims no affiliation with Trump’s campaign, his campaign officials have promoted the appearance in internet posts. If reelected, Trump would become the 47th president.