Heritage Auctions is expanding their offerings with a new division devoted to sneaker collecting and named Arman Salemi as the Consignment Director.

Salemi was a fan of sneaker collecting by the time he was 12 years old. “I remember the first time my parents allowed me to choose my first pair of sneakers,” Salemi said. “The wall of shoes showcasing the different designs and colors, it was as if I could express myself in a way I never had before.”

He became what is known as a Sneakerhead, buying as many pairs of sneakers as he could. Salemi is also a big fan of basketball, a sport that showcases its footwear both for their functionality and aesthetic appeal. Building on the experience of choosing his first pair of sneakers and love of basketball, Salemi has become a leading specialist in sneaker collecting and now he is working with Heritage to launch this new auction category.

The market for sneaker collecting has grown in recent years with more online and retail stores opening that have showcased the rarity and collectability of certain shoes. Manufacturers like Nike offer exclusive and limited edition sneaker releases that cause a fervor with collectors. Social media has also had an impact as a marketing tool for high profile new releases and the availability of classic pairs at auction.

Salemi can be reached at armans@ha.com or (214) 409-1436 to discuss consignment opportunities.