Roman Sharf: The Russian CEO who won autographed pair of Trump’s golden sneakers

Roman Sharf, the founder and CEO of Luxury Bazaar, proudly showcased his latest acquisition at Sneaker Con: a personally signed pair of Donald Trump sneakers. The former US President made a surprise appearance at the event, announcing the launch of his sneakers and signing pairs for lucky participants.

During the ceremony, Trump autographed the golden "Never Surrender high-tops," which were subsequently auctioned off. One attendee, eager to own a piece of history, placed a winning bid of $9,000 for the coveted footwear.

Sharf, triumphant in his bidding victory, displayed the signed sneakers to the Sneaker Con audience. In a video shared on social media, the Russian CEO can be seen beaming with pride as he holds up the golden kicks adorned with an American flag detail.


Expressing his excitement, Sharf remarked, “We are going to have a winning celebration come this November, and I’ll be wearing these one-of-one Donald Trump-signed sneakers.”

With plans to eventually pass down the sneakers to his children, Sharf temporarily plans to showcase the prized possession in his office. The limited-edition footwear, part of a collection of only 1000 pairs, reportedly sold out in under two hours upon release.

Born in the Soviet Union, Sharf now resides in Philadelphia, where he oversees Luxury Bazaar, known as one of the world's largest grey market watch dealers. Despite not being authorized by brands to sell their products directly, his company boasts impressive sales figures, raking in around $130 million annually.

How did Roman Sharf create Luxury Bazaar
Upon arriving in the United States, Roman Sharf initially took on the role of a newspaper deliveryman, as reported by luxurybazaar.com. However, at the age of 18, he made a significant decision to join the US Army, serving his country before pursuing higher education at Penn State University. Initially studying electrical engineering, Sharf's passion soon shifted towards computer science.

Entering the banking sector, Sharf began his career with Fleet Bank before rising to the position of vice president at Deutsche Bank. In this role, he oversaw local payment systems processing a staggering $40 billion in transactions monthly. However, following the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, which led to a reduction in employment at Deutsche Bank, Sharf seized the opportunity to embark on a new venture.

Launching Luxury Bazaar from the confines of his basement, Sharf transformed the enterprise into a global success story. His extensive travels and keen eye for the luxury watch market solidified his reputation as a prominent figure in the industry.

With a wealth of experience gained from his early career and managerial role at a multinational bank, Sharf established himself as a leading force in both wholesale and retail watch and jewelry sectors. His YouTube channel boasts over 436K subscribers, showcasing his expertise and insights to a global audience.

In a parallel development, former President Donald Trump made headlines with the launch of his own sneaker brand at the 'Sneaker Con' event in Philadelphia. Addressing the crowd, Trump expressed his long-standing desire to venture into the sneaker market.

The newly introduced line features eye-catching gold high tops adorned with an American flag accent, marketed as Never Surrender High-Tops retailing for $399 on a dedicated website. Additionally, the website offers Trump-branded Victory47 cologne and perfume priced at $99.

While the website maintains no direct association with Trump's campaign, his campaign officials have highlighted the venture in online posts, hinting at the potential for a future political comeback. Should he secure re-election, Trump would serve as the 47th president, as emphasized by the Victory47 branding.