Each item in our collection is hand-selected by our dedicated in-house team of authenticators and appraisers, whose Hermès-specific experience spans decades. We rigorously inspect every product we receive using a multi-point authentication process to guarantee its authenticity. This authentication process includes a comprehensive ranking of the condition of each product.
We have earned a reputation as Asia’s No.1 Hermès reseller, with a loyal customer base from across the world, including VIPs, celebrities and avid Hermès collectors. We are committed to ensuring that the world-class craftsmanship of Hermès is lovingly preserved for generations to come.
“Around 99.9 percent of the bags we see are genuine, but we always check them all thoroughly. We start with the mindset that each bag is fake so that we can focus on accurate authentication and discerning the market value.”
Hashimoto began his career as an authenticator around 25 years ago when the resale market was still little-known. He worked as an apprentice in a store that bought and sold luxury jewelry and watches but, over the years, he saw more and more high-end handbags being pawned. Seeing an opportunity, he began studying the finer points of bag authentication. “I documented measurements and took photos of everything and created a manual I could add to and refer to,” he says. “Every day, from morning to night I was appraising handbags.”
Over the years he’s authenticated more than two million handbags, specializing in Hermès bags, which he admires for their incredible craftsmanship and high-quality materials.
Hashimoto is considered one of Japan’s most respected authenticators and has been leading the buyer’s team at XIAOMA for more than five years. He laughs that he knows more about Hermès bags than the staff in the Hermès boutiques as they don’t have the opportunity to see the huge variety and number of handbags he has during his life-long career in the resale industry.
The knowledge and prestige that Hashimoto and the rest of the authenticators bring to our boutique deter most counterfeiters, though Hashimoto says it’s vital we remain vigilant. He is a strong believer in retaining a cool demeanor even when authenticating even the rarest of Hermès bags. “Around 99.9 percent of the bags we see are genuine, but we always check them all thoroughly. We start with the mindset that each bag is fake so that we can focus on accurate authentication and discerning the market value.”
“Counterfeits are getting better and better, so I spend as much time as I need to thoroughly check the bag. Authentication really requires a lot of experience. You get a feel for what is and what is not genuine. I think what sets us apart from other authenticators is that we steer clear of fads and trends and have our own tried and tested way of working.”
Kurumada has worked in luxury goods for her whole career. “The appeal of Hermès is different, though”, she says.”Its refined beauty, a vast range of colors, high-quality leathers and exquisite craftsmanship really set it apart.
She estimates that, during five years at XIAOMA, she has seen around 500,000 Hermès handbags. “We receive new Birkin and Kelly handbags every day, so I’ve seen Hermès handbags of every size, shape and model you can imagine. The market has changed a lot during this time, but the most surprising development is how much the pandemic has driven up the bags’ value.”
She has a keen eye for spotting a counterfeit bag, honed from years of experience. “Counterfeits are getting better and better, so I spend as much time as I need to thoroughly check the bag. Authentication really requires a lot of experience. You get a feel for what is and what is not genuine. I think what sets us apart from other authenticators is that we steer clear of fads and trends and have our own tried and tested way of working.”
One of her favorite parts of the job is when she’s busy speaking with customers all day. “I think all the authenticators agree that talking with customers is the best part of the job,” she smiles.
