Assouline Publishing
 | |
| Industry | Luxury Goods |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1994 |
| Founder | Martine & Prosper Assouline |
| Headquarters | New York City, United States |
| Products | Books, Special Editions, Furniture, Vintage Tomes, and Gifts |
| Website | www.assouline.com |
Assouline Publishing is a luxury book publisher , retailer, and lifestyle brand. It was founded in 1994 by Prosper and Martine Assouline.[1] Operations are based in New York City with additional offices in Paris and London, as well as more than 20 boutiques worldwide and an online presence at assouline.com. Since 1994 Assouline has published over 1,400 titles across international markets on subjects including architecture, art, design, fashion, gastronomy, lifestyle, and photography, travel. Assouline also designs lines of scented candles, leather goods, and library accessories, and the Assouline Interiors turnkey library furniture collection.
Company history
In 1994, Prosper and Martine Assouline published their first book, La Colombe d’Or, on the history of their favorite hotel in the South of France, with photographs by Prosper and text by Martine. They opened the first Assouline office in Paris in 1995, and in 1996 launched the Memoire collection of books focusing on noteworthy names in fashion, jewelry, design, and art. In 1999 Assouline opened an office in New York City.
Assouline has partnered with numerous luxury brands, including: Cartier, Chanel, Coach, Dior, Goyard, Louis Vuitton, MCM, and Valentino to create special editions and trunks. Assouline publishes many of its titles in both French and English.
In 1996 : Prosper & Martine Assouline create the signature Mémoire Collection (around 8 million units sold wolrdwide), aligning Assouline with the foremost designers and luxury brands in the world.
In 2002, Assouline published Lee Radziwill’s memoir, Happy Times, which would become the template for the Lifetime collection, focusing on international destinations and style. Lee Radziwill’s journey continues in the much-anticipated new book, Lee, published in 2015 in which Radziwill shares her unique perspective as a witness to history, recalling her friendships with the numerous cultural figures, from Rudolf Nureyev to Truman Capote, who have punctuated her life.
Since 2005, the Assouline accessories and gift line has expanded to include library decor items such as bookcases and book stands, trunks, stationery and leather goods, scented candles, special editions, and box sets.
In 2008, The Impossible Collection, a limited-edition hand-bound luxury volume featuring hand-tipped-on images of the twentieth century’s greatest fine art pieces, inspired the Ultimate collection, which has expanded to include books in the same oversize format on cars, fashion, jewelry, and watches.
In 2010, Assouline introduces the Ultimate Collection, a special tribute to the integrity and mystique of hand-made books.
In 2012, Assouline produces the first luxury waterproof book with South Pole.
In 2014 Assouline introduced a collection of embossed leather tote bags, the Didot book bag tote.
In 2015, Assouline officially launches a complete Haute Couture lifestyle furnishings collection: “Assouline Interiors”, in London, New York and Paris.
Boutiques
In 2003, Assouline opened a corner on the seventh floor of Bergdorf Goodman, featuring a dedicated window on Fifth Avenue. Assouline opened its first standalone boutiques in Paris in 2003 and in New York City in the Plaza Hotel in 2008, debuting the signature Assouline decor concept. Assouline has continued to expand, adding a bespoke bindery at the Plaza Hotel with bookbinding expert Paul Vogel, plus more standalone and franchise boutiques in international markets, and branded corners in selected retail locations worldwide.
In 2006, Assouline opens its flagship boutique in Paris at 35 rue Bonaparte, nestled in the heart of Saint Germain-des-Prés next to Dior. The message is clear: Assouline becomes a cultural authority with a luxury goal.
In 2010, the luxury publisher opens boutiques and corners in New York City at The Plaza Hotel and South Coast Plaza mall in Costa Mesa. Opening of the first franchise with a boutique in Istanbul.
In 2013, Assouline opens its first boutique in London within Claridge’s and first pop-up at Harrods.
In 2012: The company expands abroad with its first opening in the Asian market in Seoul, Korea. Assouline starts strong partnerships with new boutiques: in the Middle East with the opening of the Istanbul boutique and Central and South America with the Mexico City and Lima boutique openings. Beginning of the collaboration with Le Bon Marché in Paris.
In 2014, Assouline celebrates its 20-year Anniversary, opening its flagship store in London: Maison Assouline. Another boutique opening in Venice and launches the first showroom at the D&D building in New York to present its bespoke libraries and lounges.
In 2015, the publisher launched and opened a boutique in Geneva, Switzerland.