Who Is Shinsuke Sakimoto, the CEO Who Bought the Original Hermes Birkin?

When the original Hermès Birkin bag—the very prototype once carried daily by Jane Birkin herself—shattered records at Sotheby’s Paris with a jaw-dropping $10 million winning bid, the sale sent ripples through the fashion industry. The buyer? Valuence, a Japanese luxury resale company that has built its empire on reimagining the meaning of secondhand. At its helm is Shinsuke Sakimoto, a former footballer turned CEO, who orchestrated the historic acquisition as a cultural statement.

According to Khaleej Times, Shinsuke called the moment “a personal milestone,” emphasizing that the bag’s legacy deserved a custodian who valued both its craftsmanship and story. But who exactly is the man behind this headline-making move? Here are five things to know about Shinsuke Sakimoto—and why his purchase goes far beyond prestige.

Before he entered the world of luxury and sustainability, Shinsuke was making moves on the football pitch. According to South China Morning Post, he joined Gamba Osaka in Japan’s J1 League in 2001 as a midfielder. But after just a few seasons and a brief stint with Sagawa Express Osaka, he made the decision to retire at 22. His early pivot from sports to entrepreneurship would lay the foundation for his next big play: building a global resale empire.

After working at his father’s secondhand shop, Shinsuke launched Nanboya in 2007, a sleek buy-back store that treated pre-owned luxury like showroom-worthy treasures. In 2011, he founded Valuence Japan, aiming to make resale as refined as retail. As reported by Prestige, Valuence set itself apart with expert authentication, clean minimalist boutiques (under its ALLU brand), and an elevated in-store experience. By 2018, the company went public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, with Sakimoto becoming the first former J.League player to lead a listed company.

Valuence didn’t acquire the Birkin to flip it for profit. Instead, Shinsuke emphasized that it’s a symbolic asset, one meant to be preserved, not resold. “This isn’t just about a record purchase,” Sakimoto told Khaleej Times. “It’s about honouring the legacy of one of fashion’s most iconic pieces.” The company plans to unveil the bag in Japan and leverage it for cultural programming, treating it as an archival piece that aligns with Valuence’s mission of sustainability, authenticity, and circularity.

Valuence’s $10 million Birkin play is part of a broader vision. The company operates in 15 countries and spans everything from auctions and retail to fine art and corporate liquidation services. According to Khaleej Times, Shinsuke’s goal is for Valuence to become a “Circular Design Company” by 2030, one that connects luxury with purpose. The Birkin acquisition, he says, is “a strategic investment” meant to elevate conversations around legacy, stewardship, and responsible ownership, especially in heritage-driven markets like Europe and the Middle East.

As the pre-owned market booms, so do concerns around fakes. Shinsuke is vocal about the need for trusted platforms and sees it as a competitive advantage. “The expansion of counterfeit markets will further increase the relative value of trusted platforms that guarantee authenticity,” he told Khaleej Times. Valuence invests in professional verification and transparent sourcing to ensure customer confidence. For Gen Z and millennial shoppers, that authenticity—coupled with sustainability—is becoming the new standard of luxury.