Written by Remy Haynes
Photography by Remy Haynes and Wesley Kemp

Julien's was entrusted with the sale of the dress in 1999 for 1.2 million and again in 2016 for a record breaking 4.2 million dollars.

"Celebrities trust us," says Martin when I ask how they procure these incredibly rare artifacts. With almost 20 years of experience in the auction business, Darren and Martin pride themselves on creating a business of trust and mutual respect. Cher and Ringo Star were a couple of the first celebrities they worked with to create what they call "Celebrity Lifestyle Auctions" which to them means working with an artist that is alive and well and wanting to share some of their lives through memorabilia, all the while generating funds for the charities they support. "The celebrities we've worked with have been incredibly generous," says Martin,"they are just looking for ways to give backand we can help them with that." Proud to support both MusiCares and the Recording Academy charity, Julien's auctions house al-ways gives a portion of sales back to help ensure that music remains an indelible part of our culture.

Celebrities are also helping them innovate, setting them apart from other auction houses. When Janet Jackson wanted to produce a video to go along with her catalog, singing and talking about all the beautiful outfits she’d worn for each of her con-certs, they were skeptical, but they figured out how to do it. “We deal in the entertainment business and it’s our job to customize an auction that speaks to the artist,” says Martin. Sly Stallone, Betty White, Barbara Streisand, the list goes on and on of the amazing talent that Julien’s has had the privilege of working with. “To us it’s about celebrating their incredible achievements and helping their legacy survive.”

Speaking of being entertained, do yourself a favor and go down to Julien’s on one of their auction days. The auctions at Julien’s are both in person and online but you won’t want to miss seeing the pieces in person and getting a dose of humor from the lighthearted and outspoken auctioneer, Zach Krone. Cracking jokes throughout his final gavel throws keeps the atmosphere fun, easy-going and any-thing but stuffy. I even see Darren there laughing in the upstairs ‘employees only’ section where the real time bidding is being managed.

Julien’s early adoption of digital real-time bidding has enabled the company to build a truly global buying audience. It’s as sim-pie as registering to bid on their website and either bidding on a specific lot via the website prior to the auction, where each item is shown with photographs or calling in during the auction and bidding in real-time. Your choice, on your own time. Darren even tells me later that his 92-vearold mom in rural Ireland watches every auction, “with no intention of purchasing,she just likes to comment on how it went and be a part of what we’re doing.”

It is that charm and kindness I feel, roaming around the gallery on auction day,tasked with snapping some photographs. I’m approached quickly by Ricky who introduces himself and lets me know he’s there for whatever I may need. He proceeds to offer to open glass cases and clean any cases that can’t be opened, for me to get some good photos. He has a smile the entire time I’m there, as well as all the lovely ladies manning the front desk check-in area. “I used to work on Michael Jackson’s estate, prior to coming to Julien’s,” he tells me. “I love this type of work. You get to be part of history.”

Headquartered in Beverly Hills but continually working on their global presence, Darren and Martin strive to ‘bring the toys to the people’ in places like Europe, South America, and hopefully expand more into Last Asia in the vears to come Creating brand synergy with places like museums. Hard Rock Cafes and various hotels, Julien’s creates an opportunity to connect with celebrity in places where western pop culture may be harder to come by. “We’re selling an exclusive experience to connect with a memory from your past. Sometimes we get busy and forget now cool that really is.”