Assouline Publishing Explained

Assouline Publishing
Founded:1994
Founders:Martine and Prosper Assouline
Country:United States
Headquarters:3 Park Avenue, New York City
Publications:Books
Topics:Fashion, Travel, Design, Art, Architecture and Cuisine

Assouline Publishing is a book publisher and luxury lifestyle company founded in 1994 by Prosper and Martine Assouline. It has published more than 1,700 titles on subjects including architecture, art, design, fashion, gastronomy, lifestyle, photography, and travel. Beginning in the 2010s the company has branched out to designing, producing, and selling furniture, accessories, and luxury gifts, and to creating bespoke furnished and accessorized libraries for individuals and hotels.

History

The publishing house began as a family company in the basement of Martine and Prosper’s apartment in Paris.[1] One year later, the firm opened its first office on rue Danielle Casanova in Paris. The couple’s first published book was La Colombe d'Or (1994) which covers the history of their favorite hotel in the South of France, including photographs by Prosper and text by Martine.[2]

The company went on to establish its first book series in 1996 – the Memoire collection, which was composed of books focusing on individuals and companies in fashion, jewelry, design, and art. Initial publications included books on Alaïa, Chanel, Vionnet, and Dior. The collection was available in 10 different languages and has sold millions of copies worldwide.

In 2007, the company owners relocated to New York City, and that same year they began to partner with the Council of Fashion Designers of America.[3] [4] In 2011 Prosper Assouline was awarded the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres[5] from the French Ministry of Culture for his work in publishing.[6] In 2012, Assouline produced a waterproof book on the subject of the South Pole,[7] as well as Gaia, a book of photos taken on the International Space Station by Guy Laliberté.[8] In 2016, the French Institute Alliance Française awarded the Assoulines with the Art de Vivre award for their publications.[9] [10]

In 2013, LVMH acquired a minority stake in the company.[11] By 2020, Assouline had published more than 1,700 books.[11]

As of the 2020s, Assouline is known for its collections, including its extensive and colorful travel series,[12] its Handcrafted Ultimates collection,[13] [14] its Classics collection,[15] and its signed limited editions such as the special edition of its book on Versailles.[12] [16]

Martine and Prosper's son Alex has been at the company since 2014. As of 2022 he is chief of operations, brand, and strategy.[17] Alex has spoken on the future of the brand, taking the publisher into the digital age,[18] as well as expanding into product development,[19] and library curation interior design.[20]

Boutiques and flagship stores

In 2003, Assouline opened a corner boutique in the Bergdorf Goodman Building. The company opened its first standalone boutique in Paris in 2006.

The company has subsequently opened branded corners inside different locations around the world, including Madrid and Sydney.[21]   Assouline also operates retail locations in various cities including Bal Harbour, Florida,[22] Houston, Texas[23]  and Mexico City,[24] as well as its London flagship store, Maison Assouline,[25] that opened in 2014, featuring the Swans Bar.[26]

In 2024, Assouline opened a boutique on Madison Avenue in New York.[27]

Luxury lifestyle brand

Since 2011 the company has also been building itself into a luxury lifestyle brand.[28] In addition to books, Maison Assouline in London sells furniture,[29] rare objects,[30] and luxury gifts,[31] and some of Assouline's stores in other locations do as well.[32]

In 2015, Assouline launched an "Haute Couture" furnishings collection called "Assouline Interiors."[33] Assouline also produces accessories,[34] [35] bookbags, and bindery.[36]

Assouline has collaborated with global luxury brands including Zara,[37] Oliver Peoples,[38] and Gucci.[39] With recent titles, the publisher has worked with numerous brands, including Louis Vuitton,[40] Dior,[41] Rolex,[42] Patek Philippe,[43] Formula 1,[44] James Bond,[45]  and Barbie.[46]

The company also creates custom libraries for individuals and hotels[1] including interior design, furniture, vintage objects, and accessories.[47] [48] In New York City they have designed private libraries and lounges in buildings including 432 Park, 550 Madison Avenue, The Caledonia, and The Shephard.[49] [50]

In 2023, Assouline launched line of scented candles in collaboration with perfumer Jérôme Epinette.[51] The line featured scents evoking Mykonos, Marrakech, Tulum, Ibiza, Gstaad and Moon.[52]

In early 2024, Assouline introduced brand’s signature color, Assouline Red, which was officially recognized by color expert Pantone.[53]

Activism

Since 2019, Assouline has partnered with One Tree Planted to grow one tree for each book sold, with the eventual goal of creating a sustainable cycle, producing books from trees planted specifically for the publisher.[54] [55]

During the Maui Wildfires in 2023, the brand announced that 100% of sales of the book would go towards relief for locals affected by the fires through the end of the year.[56]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: In Conversation with the Assoulines. Kate. Enters. 3 April 2016. WSJ.
  2. Web site: The World of Assouline. Lesley M. . Blume. 1 January 2012. Slate.
  3. Web site: American Fashion Review - Threads. Threads Magazine.
  4. Web site: CFDA. CFDA.
  5. Web site: Nomination ou promotion dans l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres janvier 2011. 22 February 2011. Ministere de la culture.
  6. Web site: Assouline Is Knighted. Valentine. Uhovski. 14 January 2011. Wall Street Journal.
  7. Web site: Assouline's New Waterproof Book: South Pole. 18 February 2012. Starrett Lehigh.
  8. Web site: The Founder of Cirque du Soleil - Guy Laliberté Returns from his Journey into Space with Plans to Change the World. Kisa. Lala. 19 December 2012. Huffington Post.
  9. Web site: Well-heeled Francophiles honor lifestyle publishers at Le Bilboquet. 7 June 2016. LL NYC.
  10. Web site: Assouline Co-Founders Presented with Art de Vivre Award. GDA. Staff. 2 June 2016. Gifts and Decorative accessories.
  11. News: Schneier . Matthew . Judged By Their Covers: How the Assoulines made their name on books to be seen (and occasionally read) . 20 June 2022 . . March 6, 2020.
  12. News: Villa-Clarke . Angelina . Page Turners: You Can Still Travel Thousands Of Miles With Assouline . 21 June 2022 . . January 25, 2021.
  13. News: Cha . Frances . Bookmark this! World's best bookstores . 23 November 2022 . CNN . August 3, 2015.
  14. News: Devadanam . Steven . Fab and fashionable crowd packs haute French bookstore's grand opening in River Oaks District . 21 June 2022 . CultureMap Houston . April 23, 2021.
  15. News: Thiyagarajan . Darishini . Louis Vuitton announces the launch of Louis Vuitton: Virgil Abloh book, published by Assouline . 23 November 2022 . Esquire . September 8, 2022.
  16. News: Trilivas . Nicole . This New Book On Versailles Costs $4,900 — But Includes A Private Tour . 21 June 2022 . . November 10, 2020.
  17. News: Lasky . Julie . How Many Books Does It Take to Make a Place Feel Like Home? . 20 June 2022 . . December 24, 2021.
  18. Web site: Moore . Booth . 2022-01-27 . Alex Assouline on Bringing the Business of Fashion Books Into the Digital Era . 2024-09-05 . WWD . en-US.
  19. Web site: Moin . David . 2024-06-12 . After 30 Years in Business, Assouline Plots Retail Expansion — Including on Madison Avenue . 2024-09-05 . WWD . en-US.
  20. Web site: 2022-06-06 . Why luxury publisher Assouline is shooting for the moon . 2024-09-05 . Australian Financial Review . en.
  21. Web site: Assouline cements New York roots with new store . fashionnetwork.
  22. Web site: Moin . David . 2024-06-12 . After 30 Years in Business, Assouline Plots Retail Expansion — Including on Madison Avenue . 2024-09-05 . WWD . en-US.
  23. Web site: Assouline-opens-first-Southwest-store . houstonchronicle.
  24. Web site: Moin . David . 2024-06-12 . After 30 Years in Business, Assouline Plots Retail Expansion — Including on Madison Avenue . 2024-09-05 . WWD . en-US.
  25. Web site: Hojnicki . Carrie . 2014-10-01 . Assouline Opens a Flagship Shop in London . 2024-09-05 . Architectural Digest . en-US.
  26. Web site: New chapter: Assouline launches London store-Telegraph. https://web.archive.org/web/20141030043646/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/luxury/design/49999/new-chapter-assouline-launch-london-store.html. dead. 2014-10-30. The Telegraph.
  27. Web site: Moin . David . 2024-06-12 . After 30 Years in Business, Assouline Plots Retail Expansion — Including on Madison Avenue . 2024-09-05 . WWD . en-US.
  28. News: Sherman . Rebecca . The Book People . 17 June 2022 . Paper City . 9 September 2016.
  29. News: Seo . Juyoung . Maison Assouline: London's Luxury Shop For Bibliophiles . 17 June 2022 . . July 24, 2017.
  30. News: Library of Luxe . 17 June 2022 . . November 2014.
  31. News: Maison Assouline: defying conventions in a temple of good taste . 17 June 2022 . . 27 March 2017.
  32. News: Gillespie . Lane . Retail Roundup: Luxe bookstore Assouline enters Houston; Louis Vuitton, Giorgio Armani, more open in Galleria . 18 June 2022 . . April 26, 2021.
  33. Web site: Assouline Interiors Celebrates A Touch of Style. 16 April 2015. High End Weekly.
  34. Web site: Bound for glory. 2 July 2015. The Australian.
  35. Web site: Assouline Finds Upscale Niche. Publishers Weekly.
  36. Web site: MAISON ASSOULINE - Assouline. www.assouline.com. 2017-06-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20161002214744/http://www.assouline.com/maison-assouline-announcement.html. 2016-10-02. dead.
  37. News: Sams . Lauren . Why Luxury Publisher Assouline Is Shooting For The Moon . 23 November 2022 . Financial Review . June 7, 2022.
  38. News: Medina . Marcy . Oliver Peoples Fetes 'California as We See It' With Lisa Eisner . 23 November 2022 . WWD . November 30, 2018.
  39. News: Anyanwu . Obi . Gucci unveils limited edition Blind For Love book with Assouline . 23 November 2022 . Fashion Network . November 28, 2016.
  40. Web site: 2023-04-19 . Louis Vuitton Explores the Architecture of Luxury in Its New Book, ‘Skin' . 2024-09-05 . Hypebae.
  41. Web site: Diderich . Joelle . 2023-05-16 . New Dior Book Chronicles the Raf Simons Years . 2024-09-05 . WWD . en-US.
  42. Web site: 2018-12-04 . This New Rolex Book is a Fascinating Look At Some of The Brand’s Most Iconic Watches . 2024-09-05 . Gear Patrol . en-US.
  43. Web site: @thestyleguide1 . 2023-11-15 . Explore The World Of Patek Philippe With A New Coffee Table Book - Maxim . 2024-09-05 . www.maxim.com . en-US.
  44. Web site: Mathew . Viju . 2021-05-25 . Assouline’s New $995 Formula 1 Book Was 70 Years in the Making . 2024-09-05 . Robb Report . en-US.
  45. Web site: AI . 2023-10-05 . James Bond Destinations Book By Assouline . 2024-09-05 . James Bond 007 . en-US.
  46. Web site: the-barbicore-trend-continues . forbes.
  47. News: Mitchell . Heidi . A House to Look Smart In . 18 June 2022 . . June 27, 2012.
  48. News: Moore . Booth . Alex Assouline on Bringing the Business of Fashion Books Into the Digital Era . 18 June 2022 . . January 27, 2022.
  49. Web site: Behold, the house of the future. Mark. Ellwood. 26 October 2016. The New York Post.
  50. News: Clavarino . Elena . Alexandre Assouline . 18 June 2022 . . December 25, 2021.
  51. Web site: Montanez . Abby . 2023-05-04 . Exclusive: Assouline Just Launched a Line of Candles Designed to Smell Like Vacation . 2024-09-05 . Robb Report . en-US.
  52. Web site: 2023-05-05 . Assouline’s First Candle Collection Evokes the Memories of Travel . 2024-09-05 . Hypebeast.
  53. Web site: Templeton . Lily . 2024-02-01 . EXCLUSIVE: Assouline Marks 30th Anniversary With Signature Pantone Color . 2024-09-05 . WWD . en-US.
  54. Web site: martine-assouline-arbiter . gothammag.
  55. Web site: Brand Guide: Assouline . 2024-09-05 . IMBOLDN . en-US.
  56. Web site: 2023-09-07 . 100% of Net Proceeds from This Beautiful Coffee Table Book Go to Help Victims of Maui Wildfires . 2024-09-05 . Veranda . en-US.

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