A black leather jacket made by Tom Ford belonging to the Nvidia chief executive officer, Jensen Huang and used by the same man at a prominent technology event has gone for an incredible $960,000 at Sotheby’s auctions, becoming a headline grabber in the fashion industry.
The jacket was part of the so-called founder’s uniform of Huang and often used by the man as a casual clothing. With an estimated price of $40,000-$60,000, the jacket was put up for auction on 17th July 2026 at Sotheby’s New York salesroom after a ten-day auction battle between 45 collectors at the auction house. The total number of bids submitted in this process was 65 and the final price fetched for the jacket was sixteen times the estimated minimum price.
“It is an object that is intimately connected to one of the most significant people of our time,”
said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Modern Collectibles.
“The reaction was much more than what we ever expected.”
The specific jacket is a black Tom Ford Nappa grain leather blouson with zip and button detailing. The jacket was worn publicly by Huang at Hon Hai (Foxconn) Tech Day, Taipei, Taiwan on October 18, 2023. The clothing was photo-matched against unique creases and wrinkles captured in official images of the event by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA). The autograph on the interior of the jacket was additionally authenticated by James Spence Authentication (JSA).
Huang, 62, has worn black leather jackets to numerous Nvidia events, including keynotes, product launches, and major public announcements over the past two decades. The look is similar in philosophy to Steve Jobs’s black turtlenecks or Mark Zuckerberg’s gray tees in that it serves as a recognizable staple of his professional presentation. Huang’s wife, Lori, helps him select his attire, and he has mentioned that he dislikes shopping and cannot stand most clothes.
The sale of the jacket was organized by Long Journey Ventures, as a benefit auction. All the proceeds raised through the auction shall be donated to the Edge Institute, which is an institution that provides fellowships, grants, residencies, and programs for innovators in the areas of technology, science, and culture. For instance, the foundation funds such projects as “Edge Cities,” which brings together diverse minds from around the world to foster collaborative projects.
Retail versions of similar Tom Ford jackets are priced at $9,000 to $10,000, and the final sale price is set to increase as a result of the rising demand for AI memorabilia, given that Nvidia’s stock price has risen sharply throughout the AI era.
Media outlets drew comparisons between Huang’s “jersey swap” with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in 2024 and the “era of AI,” and thus far, no major controversy has overshadowed the purchase.
The article recites several other high-profile tech industry purchases of clothing and accessories, as well as the significance conveyed to the acquired merchandise by the tech executives.
As such, the article’s closing paragraphs discuss Huang’s influence and impact beyond the business sphere, with one publication noting that his “authenticity, ingenuity, persistence, courage and joy” define Nvidia’s journey to the top of the market.
The charity auction turned out to be profitable, and the event has since garnered tremendous public interest and media coverage. The buyer’s identity is not revealed, but the article’s conclusion suggests that Jirou’s influence extends well beyond the confines of the business world.
