Assouline Publishing

Martine and Prosper Assouline

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.[2] The publishing house began as a family company in the basement of the couple’s apartment in Paris[3] and one year later, the firm opened its first office on rue Danielle Casanova in Paris.[4] The company later opened more offices, first in New York,[5] and then in Venice, Geneva, Istanbul, and London.[6] The company's first book series was the Memoire collection of books focusing on individuals and companies in fashion, jewelry, design, and art.[7] Initial publications included books about Azzedine Alaïa, Chanel, Vionnet, and Dior.[5] As of 1997, about half a million editions from the Memoire collection had been sold,[8] with 27 titles on Paris in addition to others.[5]

Assouline has partnered with fashion companies, including Poiret, Chanel, Pucci, Dior, Goyard, Coach, Andrée Putman, and Valentino to create special editions and trunks.[9][10] Assouline titles have been published in multiple different languages.[11] In 2001, Assouline published Lee Radziwill’s memoir, Happy Times, the first book of the Icons collection, which focuses on travel and style. Assouline also produces the "Impossible Collection" of books[12][13] and the "Ultimate Collection",[14] a series of limited-edition hand-bound oversize volumes with hand-tipped illustrations.[2]

In 2002 Assouline published the book Bright Young Things by Brooke de Ocampo.[15] Then 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.[16] In 2011 Prosper Assouline was awarded the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres from the French Ministry of Culture for his work in publishing.[17] In 2012, Assouline produced a waterproof book on the subject of the South Pole,[18] as well as Gaia, a book of photos taken on the International Space Station by Guy Laliberté.[19]

In 2015, Assouline launched a "Haute Couture" furnishings collection called "Assouline Interiors".[20] Assouline also produces accessories,[21][22] bookbags, and bindery.[23] They have also designed private libraries and lounges in New York City in buildings including 432 Park, The Caledonia, and The Shephard.[24] In 2016, the French Institute Alliance Française awarded the Assoulines with the Art de Vivre award for their publications.[25]

In 2003, Assouline opened a corner boutique in Bergdorf Goodman. Assouline opened its first standalone boutique in Paris in 2006.[22] Assouline has opened several flagship stores, including a London store entitled Maison Assouline that opened in 2014,[21] which houses the Swans Bar.[26] Other boutiques are located in Istanbul, Mexico City, and Seoul.[27]

• Official website