Wealthy Executive from Luxury Marketplace Platform Uncovered as Purchaser of $10 Million Birkin Bag
Valuence Acquires Record-Breaking Birkin Bag for Cultural Preservation
Shinsuke Sakimoto, the CEO and founder of Valuence Holdings Inc., has made a significant purchase that goes beyond a simple record-breaking transaction. Sakimoto recently acquired the original prototype Hermès Birkin bag, custom-made for actress Jane Birkin, at a Sotheby’s auction in Paris for a staggering €8.58 million (approximately $10.1 million).
This acquisition marks a personal milestone and a defining moment for Valuence, a publicly listed Japanese company specializing in the secondhand luxury market. Before his business career, Sakimoto was a professional J.League footballer in Japan, retiring at the age of 22 to start Valuence.
Unlike a typical investment, Valuence and Sakimoto have no intention to resell the bag for profit. Instead, their goals are to preserve and protect this piece of global cultural heritage associated with fashion history and Jane Birkin’s legacy. They plan to make the bag accessible to the public, with a press conference and public exhibition in Japan scheduled to showcase the item.
Sakimoto emphasizes that this acquisition aligns with Valuence’s broader philosophy of supporting women's empowerment and diversity, values reflected by Jane Birkin’s embodiment of freedom and independent beauty.
The Birkin bag, first created in 1984 by Jean-Louis Dumas, then CEO of Hermès, for actress Jane Birkin, remained in a private French collection for over 20 years before being sold again. It had previously been sold at auction in Paris in 2000.
Valuence Holdings Inc., which hosts auctions and sells fine art, vintage watches, and authenticated resale, sees the Birkin bag as the embodiment of its mission. Sakimoto, an advocate for "circular luxury," a sustainable and ethical form of luxury that gives items second lives, believes the Birkin bag's story should be shared with the world.
In a hint towards future plans, Sakimoto mentioned that he may have something of his own to sell. Whether this refers to further acquisitions or personal possessions remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain: Shinsuke Sakimoto and Valuence Holdings Inc. are committed to honoring the legacy of the iconic Birkin bag and promoting sustainable and ethical practices in the luxury market.
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- Shinsuke Sakimoto, an entrepreneur in the luxury market, recently acquired a record-breaking Hermès Birkin bag at a fine art auction, aligning with his advocacy for sustainable practices in fashion-and-beauty.
- Valuence Holdings Inc., a company specializing in secondhand luxury goods, has made a purchase that goes beyond business, acquiring the original Birkin bag to preserve and protect a piece of global cultural heritage.
- The CEO and founder of Valuence Holdings, Shinsuke Sakimoto, plans to share the Birkin bag's story with the public through exhibitions and press conferences, demonstrating his commitment to the company's mission.
- Sakimoto, who was a professional J.League footballer before starting Valuence, aims to promote women's empowerment and diversity, values reflected by Jane Birkin's embodiment of freedom and independent beauty in association with the iconic Birkin bag.
