Latest news with #ValuenceJapan
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Who just bought the most expensive Birkin? Meet Shinsuke Sakimoto, whose company paid nearly US$10 million for the prototype: the Valuence Japan CEO was a pro footballer with the J1 League
On July 10, the original Hermès Birkin prototype was sold to Valuence Japan Inc. for an astonishing 1.47 billion yen (US$9.97 million) including fees, making it the most expensive handbag ever sold. Nine bidders competed for the coveted bag at the Sotheby's Fashion Icons auction in Paris. Maiko Ichikawa, head of Sotheby's Japan, secured the bid on behalf of Valuence via telephone following a 10-minute bidding war. The original Birkin – the handbag created by Hermès for actress Jane Birkin and offered to her in 1985 – displayed during a July 2 preview, ahead of Sotheby's Fashion Icons sale in Paris. Photo: Reuters Shinsuke Sakimoto, CEO and president of Valuence Japan, shared with Fashionsnap, ' Jane Birkin's embodiment of freedom and independent beauty resonates deeply with our group's philosophy of supporting women's empowerment and diversity.' Advertisement Valuence Japan emphasised that the acquisition is not intended for resale. Rather, the company plans to make the bag accessible to the public, thereby protecting its cultural heritage. But just who is Shinsuke Sakimoto? Here's what to know about him. He was a professional footballer Shinsuke Sakimoto, now CEO and president of Valuence Japan Inc., became a professional footballer straight out of secondary school, but retired at age 22. Photo: @shinsukesakimoto/Instagram Sakimoto joined Gamba Osaka as a midfielder in 2001, making his J1 League debut in September at the age of 19. But with Gamba Osaka's midfield roster stacked with talent, then-manager Akira Nishino told the young player his contract would not be renewed in 2003. From Gamba, Sakimoto transferred to Sagawa Express Osaka in hopes of continuing his football career. However, during the 2004 off-season, he made the decision to retire – an early exit at age 22 that steered him towards entrepreneurship. He founded Valuence Japan after retirement Shinsuke Sakimoto of Valuence Japan, the company that just acquired the original prototype of the Birkin bag for nearly US$10 million. Photo: @shinsukesakimoto/Instagram After gaining experience in management working at his father's second-hand shop, Sakimoto launched the luxury item buying company Nanboya in 2007. Four years later, he founded Valuence Japan, of which Nanboya is a main subsidiary, and assumed the role of representative director. Under his leadership, the company expanded into auction management, fine arts and antiques.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kim Kardashian Has Everyone — Including Her Friends — Wondering If She Paid $10M for a Birkin Bag
Kim Kardashian is known for her extravagant taste — but even her close friends are wondering if she just dropped some serious cash on an iconic bag. On Saturday, July 11, Kardashian shared a video that featured a model breaking a glass case containing the original Birkin bag inspired by the late actress Jane Birkin, who died in July 2023. Kardashian followed up the post with a series of texts from various people, all wondering if she had purchased the bag, which sold for €8.6 million ($10.1 million) at auction on Friday, July 10. "Are u the winner of the first Birkin bag?" one text read. "Please tell me you bought that Birkin," another friend texted. "Would be BAD ASS." "Kim for real did you buy the original Birkin??? Or should I stop blaming you every time I lose an auction?" another text read. Turns out, and despite Kardashian's hints and her friends' speculation, the bag ultimately went to Valuence Japan, Inc., in Minato-ku, Tokyo, who placed their bid through Maiko Ichikawa, Country Head of Sotheby's Japan. The Associated Press reported that the auction began at $1 million and the bag had bids placed in person and via phone. The final four bids were for €6.2 million, $6.5 million and $6.8 million. Kim Kardashian Reveals She Has Absolutely Nothing in Her Hermes Kelly Bag Back in 2012 Birkin — who famously often carried wicker baskets in lieu of a handbag — told Vogue how the iconic bag came into fruition. She was seated next to Jean-Louis Dumas, chairman of the Hermès group from 1978 to 2006, on a flight when the pair began to discuss the bag she had brought on the flight. 'I'd been upgraded by Air France on a flight to London, and I found myself sitting next to a man [the visionary Jean-Louis Dumas of Hermès],' she told writer Luke Leitch. 'I'm not quite sure what type of bag I had with me — my husband Jacques Doillon had reversed his car over my basket, crushed it on purpose not too days before. [Dumas] thought I deserved more.' She continued, 'Little did he know that on this airplane journey, when everything fell out of whatever bag I had, the man next to me said, 'you should have one with pockets.' I said, 'the day Hermès makes one with pockets I will have that.'' Birkin went on to add that the designer told her that because 'I am Hermès, and I will put pockets in for you.' ' 'I said 'why don't you make a handbag that is bigger than the Kelly but smaller than [former longtime partner] Serge's [Gainsbourg] suitcase?' And he said 'well, what would it be like?' And I think I drew it on the sick bag—or the not-be-sick bag. And he said 'I'll make it for you,'' she added. Where Else Was Kim Kardashian Supposed to Put Her Birkin While Sitting Courtside at That Lakers Game? Birkin popped into Hermès to buy the bag that had been designed, but instead Dumas offered to give it to her if she allowed him to name it for her. 'I was very flattered! They've turned it into the success we know today,' she said.
Tokyo Weekender
6 days ago
- Business
- Tokyo Weekender
Japanese Company Buys Original Birkin Bag for ¥1.47 Billion
The original black leather Birkin bag, owned and loved by Hermès muse Jane Birkin, has sold for ¥1.47 billion (€8.58 million) to Valuence Japan, the company behind luxury buyer Allu. The historic acquisition took place at a Sotheby's Fashion Icons auction in Paris on July 10, setting a new world record for the most valuable handbag ever sold. Sotheby's opened bidding for the Birkin prototype at €1 million, and a fierce battle ensued between nine collectors. Valuence Japan participated via telephone through Maiko Ichikawa, Head of Sotheby's Japan, and won the item after the 10-minute bidding war. 'The spectacular sale of the Original Hermès Birkin today at Sotheby's Paris marks an important milestone in the history of fashion and the luxury industry more widely,' stated Morgane Halimi, Sotheby's global head of handbags and fashion. 'It is a startling demonstration of the power of a legend, and its capacity to ignite the passion and desire of collectors seeking exceptional items with unique provenance.' List of Contents: A Legendary Fashion Accessory Reemerges Who Bought the Original Birkin Bag? Related Posts A Legendary Fashion Accessory Reemerges The much-anticipated auction marks the original Birkin's first market appearance in 25 years. The handbag has been sold twice, initially in 1994 when Jane Birkin donated it to an auction benefiting the French AIDS charity Association Solidarité Sida, and again at auction at Poulain Le Fur in May 2000. Private collector Catherine B., who kept the Birkin for over two decades, told Sotheby's that the sale 'made me relive my own bidding battle … and how raw and indescribable the feeling of winning over this wonderful bag was.' The mystical Birkin had not been seen by the public until autumn of last year, when it was exhibited at Sotheby's Paris Galleries. A series of viewings this year at the Sotheby's Maison in Hong Kong, New York and Paris again attracted thousands of visitors, generating global interest for yesterday's auction. Jane Birkin with her stickered Hermès bag in London, 1996 | Image: Mike Daines/Shutterstock Originally designed by Hermès chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas after a chance encounter with British-French actress and singer Jane Birkin in 1981, the Birkin bag is one of the most famous accessories in fashion history. The story goes that Jane Birkin — who was sitting next to Dumas on a flight — spilled the contents of her wicker basket bag onto his lap, inspiring the then-artistic director to conceptualize a practical handbag large enough to hold her essentials. The Birkin, intended to fuse the bohemian-chic actress' effortless elegance with durability and functionality, has evolved into a highly-coveted status symbol around the world. Over the past decade, the handbag has also been at the center of much cultural discourse around overconsumption, wealth disparity and declining individuality, in ironic contrast to its original role as a canvas for Jane Birkin's self expression. Her well-worn purse was famously decorated with jewelry fragments, scarves and charms. The original Birkin still bears the traces of Jane Birkin's personalizations, including her initials 'J.B.' and her nail clipper, hanging from the bag's strap. The prototype is crafted in Hermès Black Box leather with gilded brass hardware, and features a unique construction, blending the Birkin 35's width and height with the Birkin 40's depth. It includes details not found on modern models like closed metal rings, an Eclair zipper, a non-removable strap and small bottom studs. So… Who Bought the Original Birkin Bag? The buyer who acquired the original Birkin is Tokyo-based company Valuence Japan, which operates several luxury fashion businesses, including big-name buyers Allu and Nanboya. Valuence Japan has emphasized that the acquisition is not for resale purposes. Instead, the company views it as a valuable addition to society — a piece of cultural heritage that will be made accessible to a broad audience. Shinsuke Sakimoto, CEO of Valuence Japan, shared his thoughts on the acquisition. 'Ms. Jane Birkin's embodiment of freedom and originality deeply resonates with our group's philosophy,' he told Fashionsnap. 'We hope the bag can be a symbol of empowerment, diversity and confidence.' Related Posts How a ¥15 Japanese Snack Became a ¥100,000 Art Sensation in Tokyo Where To Shop for Vintage Designer Bags in Tokyo That's Punk: Vivienne Westwood and Japan How Japanese Construction Uniforms Went High Fashion
NDTV
6 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
Who Bought 'The' Birkin For 10 Million Dollars?
The OG Birkin bag from the French luxury label Hermes was put up for auction on July 10. The luxury handbag was sold for $10.1 million at Sotheby's auction as part of the Paris Fashion Icon's sale. The Birkin has now become the most expensive handbag ever sold at an auction. Who Bought 'The' Birkin The first-ever Hermes bag went to an unidentified Japanese "private collector" after an intense bidding by nine candidates vying for the exclusive piece. According to Sotheby's, the "private collector" bid for the Birkin on the phone from Japan. Jane Birkin's original Birkin just sold at auction for €7M (€8.5M after fees) — millie (@milldealss) July 10, 2025 Since the Birkin sold for 10 million dollars, Social Media has gone into a meltdown trying to find out who the 'anonymous buyer' from Japan is. Some pointed out that the buyer apparently "has over 80 pieces - 30 of which are rare or exotic leather". A report on Japan Times said that Valuence Japan, a Tokyo-based luxury goods reseller, confirmed that it was the buyer. Valuence Japan is a key subsidiary of Valuence Holdings Inc., and was established in 2011 that specialises in the reuse business. The company primarily buys, auctions, and sells luxury brand goods, precious metals, watches, bags, jewelry, antiques, art objects, and other valuable items both within Japan and internationally. It also operates multiple retail stores in Japan, offering rare and one-of-a-kind pre-owned luxury items. It also runs online and offline auction platforms, including 'STAR BUYERS AUCTION,' which allows international participation. The original Birkin bag was made for British and French actress, singer and designer Jane Birkin. The Most Expensive Bag Ever Sold At An Auction As per Forbes, the Hermes handbag became the most expensive handbag ever sold at an auction. It went for $8.2 million before fees. Previously, the record for the most expensive handbag sold at an auction was set by a diamond-encrusted crocodile skin Hermes Kelly 28. It fetched $513,000 million at Christie's in Hong Kong in 2021. Two Auctions Before This Sotheby's official website claims that the original Hermes bag had been sold twice since Jane Birkin first auctioned it in 1994, with the proceeds going to an AIDS charity. The first-ever Birkin bag is saddle-stitched and comes in a jet black shade. It is made entirely of leather and consists of gold hardware, contributing to its extra dose of regal charm. The Story Of The First Birkin The OG Birkin, stuff of legends for four decades, was made as a pure 'utility' bag for actress Jane Birkin. About four decades ago, Jane Birkin and the then-head of Hermes, Jean-Louis Dumas, had a chance meeting on a Paris-London flight. Jane told Jean that she was unable to find a bag suited to the needs of a young mother, like her. The Birkin was sketched on an air-sickness bag, and the Dumas took it home to create the world's most famous handbag. That's how the Hermes bag was born in 1984, with enough room to keep even baby bottles. The Birkin Isn't For Everyone The Hermes bag, produced in limited numbers, has maintained an aura of exclusivity. The accessory is loved by celebrities such as Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Lopez and the Kardashians. Sotheby's global head of handbags, Morgane Halimi, explained what the Birkin bag means in the fashion universe. She said, "There are rare moments in the world of fashion when an object transcends trends and becomes a legend. Jane Birkin's Original Birkin bag is such a moment."
