How did Bigboy Cheng build a US$1 million trainer collection? The Philippines’ sneaker king and Instagram darling even owns the Dior x Nike Air Jordan 1 and Nike Mag Back to the Future self-lacing shoes

Sep 6 , 2021

Christian “Bigboy” Cheng is well-known for his massive sneaker collection ... but how does he make his cash? Photo: @djbigboycheng/Instagram

Christian ‘Bigboy’ Cheng loves luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga – who even invited him on a trip to Paris – but he also champions local creatives through his gallery, Secret Fresh

The scion of Uratex, the Philippines’ biggest mattress producer, Cheng owns fashion brand Rif and charms his YouTube and Instagram followers with off-the-wall food reviews

The stereotypical picture of a successful businessman might be a well-heeled guy in a stylish suit taking calls from his Bluetooth earpiece. Christian “Bigboy” Cheng, however, is more likely to be spotted in a hoodie, sweatpants and trainers. But make no mistake, his everyday outfit probably costs more than your car. After all, he isn’t called the “Philippines’ sneaker king” for nothing.

Christian “Bigboy” Cheng in one of his deceptively casual outfits. Photo: @djbigboycheng/Instagram

From Yeezys to Jordans to Balenciagas, Cheng has it all. He owns more than 700 pairs, and by current prices, his sneaker collection has a reported estimated worth of over US$1 million.

How much does he love his trainers? He recently had a vault built to house his most prized possessions.

So just how did he make his fortune, and what’s his trainer collection really like?

Christian “Bigboy” Cheng also digs street art. Photo: @djbigboycheng/Instagram

Cheng’s trainer collection is just one aspect of his hobby-turned-business empire. He is the scion of the family behind the Uratex group of companies, the country’s largest producer of foam products and mattresses. Founded by his mum Natividad Y. Cheng in 1968, Uratex is one of the biggest conglomerates in the Philippines and has over 20 plants and showrooms nationwide.

Aside from being involved in Uratex, Cheng also has several businesses of his own, including one of the country’s top art galleries, Secret Fresh, which holds exhibitions of luminaries such as Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera, who was named National Artist of the Philippines for Visual Arts (Painting) in 2006. Here, Cheng also holds auctions for art pieces that range anywhere from a couple of thousands of dollars to as much as US$1 million.