Meet Julien's Auctions
THE AUCTION HOUSE TO THE STARS
Darren Julien is the founder of Julien's Auctions and President. A third-generation entrepreneur, Darren has been in the auction industry for his entire business career. As President he is charged with the overall vision and expansion of the Julien’s brand. He is also responsible for creating, planning, implementing and integrating the strategic direction of the organization and heads the Global Leadership team. He is a graduate of the Reppert School of Auctioneering which was established in 1921 and earned a Reppert Diploma, a sign of excellence in the field. It is his experience, expertise and enthusiasm that has propelled Julien's Auctions to the market leader position.
Darren’s unique understanding and sincere passion for the entertainment and sports memorabilia markets led him to found Julien’s Auctions in 2004. His network and marketing talents fueled early sale partnerships with Christie’s and Sotheby’s including Property from the Estate of Johnny Cash, CHER, and designer Bob Mackie along with rock and roll and film sales.
The innovative marketing campaigns and environments created by Julien has led the auction house to the dominant position it maintains in the industry. Collaborating with the famous and exclusive, Julien’s produces high profile auctions around the world, customized for particular markets and collectors. With high profile events in the sports, film, music and art markets, Julien’s has received international recognition for its auction events that attract thousands of collectors, investors, fans and enthusiasts from around the world. Darren has been responsible for the sales of iconic artifacts and notable collections including the property of Marilyn Monroe, PELÉ, Mohammed Ali, Bette Midler, Joan Collins, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Lady Gaga, the street artist Banksy, CHER, Michael Jackson, U2, Jimi Hendrix, Barbra Streisand, Bob Hope, Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra, among many others.
In 2016, Darren oversaw the three-day auction event of MARILYN, featuring property of famed acting coach Lee Strasberg, Lord David Gainsborough-Roberts and the infamous Jean Louis dress the legend wore at Madison Square Garden in 1962. Julien’s Auctions was recently awarded its second placement in the Guinness Book of World Records for the sale of the world’s most expensive dress ever sold at auction, the Marilyn Monroe “Happy Birthday Mr. President” dress which sold for $4.81 million. In 2009 Julien’s first achieved placement in the Guinness Book of World Records for the sale of Michael Jackson’s white glove which sold for $480,000, making it the most expensive glove ever sold at auction.
Julien’s vision, risk-taking, innovative marketing plans and industry reputation have created one-of-a-kind exhibition partnerships with the Museum of Style Icons in Ireland, the Museo de la Moda in Chile, the Hard Rock Café in New York, and the Palms in Las Vegas, to name a few.
Darren’s passionate focus on all things pop culture and contemporary sets Julien’s far apart in the auction industry. His innovation and differential strategy of “take the auction to the targeted buying crowd” has been responsible for much of the brand’s success. In addition, Darren’s early adoption of digital real-time bidding has enabled the company to build a truly global buying audience.
Julien regularly appears in media as an industry expert and has been featured on The Today Show, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, CNN, the BBC and many other high profile news outlets. A proud native of Indiana and self-described “world traveler”, Darren lives in Los Angeles, New York and London.
Martin J. Nolan is a Founder, Executive Director and a principal of Julien’s Auctions. As Executive Director, he is responsible for assisting in formulating the company’s future direction and supporting tactical initiatives. He also manages the accounting, human resources, transaction processing systems, and legal and tax departments. Nolan monitors and directs the implementation of strategic business plans and is a member of the Global Leadership team that manages Julien’s Auctions worldwide.
Prior to joining Julien’s in 2005, Nolan’s extensive financial background included executive positions on Wall Street for over a decade with Merrill Lynch and J.P. Morgan Chase. A graduate of Reppert School of Auctioneering, Martin earned a Reppert Diploma, the sign of excellence in the field of auctioneering. Martin’s efforts are also concentrated on developing and expanding the company’s presence in Europe, Australia and Asia where Julien’s has maintained continued success with Nolan’s impressive global relationships. He has led Julien’s to build an ever-expanding international client base managing the company’s proprietary relationships with international exhibition partners such as the Museum of Style Icons in Ireland, The Museo de la Moda in Chile and The Mall Galleries in London which presented the 2016 record-breaking auction Pelé: THE COLLECTION featuring property of the three-time World Cup Champion, FIFA Player of the Century and Brazilian Football icon.
Nolan’s passion for popular culture and the auction industry is only matched by his dedication to philanthropic efforts alongside Julien’s Auctions. A firm believer in the power of celebrity, Martin routinely assists charities in raising much needed funds and has conducted auctions for numerous high profile organizations including MusiCares, the Recording Academy charity that provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in need.
As a principal of Julien’s, Martin has been responsible for the planning and execution of high profile artifact auctions and collections. The innovative marketing campaigns and environments created by Julien’s Auctions has led the auction house to the dominant position it maintains in the industry. Collaborating with the famous and exclusive, Julien’s produces high profile auctions around the world, customized for particular markets and collectors. With high profile events in the sports, film, music and art markets, Julien’s has received international recognition for its auction events that attract thousands of collectors, investors, fans and enthusiasts from around the world. Martin has managed the sales of iconic artifacts and notable collections including the property of Marilyn Monroe, PELÉ, Mohammed Ali, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Lady Gaga, CHER, Michael Jackson, U2, Jimi Hendrix, Barbra Streisand, Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra, among many others.
In 2016, Martin oversaw the three-day auction event of MARILYN, featuring property of famed acting coach Lee Strasberg, Lord David Gainsborough-Roberts and the infamous Jean Louis dress worn by the legend at Madison Square Garden in 1962. Julien’s Auctions was recently awarded its second placement in the Guinness Book of World Records for the sale of the world’s most expensive dress ever sold at auction, the Marilyn Monroe “Happy Birthday Mr. President” dress which sold for $4.81 million.
Martin regularly appears on broadcast programs and international networks including the Today Show, CNN, CNBC the BBC and Reuters representing Julien’s Auctions in the global media. Born and raised in Athlone, Co. Roscommon, Ireland, he resides in Los Angeles and New York.