Alex Assouline shares a page from his book.
“Whichever topic it may be, we are here to tell the story, celebrate their heritage, and make their legacy come alive in a timeless, beautifully made book.”
As COO for operations, brand, and strategy of Assouline Publishing, Alex Assouline has always had an artful eye for curation. After all, he grew up watching his parents, Prosper and Martine Assouline, build their eponymous Paris-based publishing house into a world-renowned luxury coffee-table book brand and later branch out into creating furnished custom libraries that reflect clients’ individual interests. “Books are the solid part of our past and present,” Prosper and Martine Assouline say in a letter on their website. “They are also beauty. For us, books are a matter of intellect and emotion, of heritage and innovation. Because information is not only about today, and the past is a sensational source of inspiration.”
Iconic recently caught up with Alex to learn more about what inspires him.
From left: “Louis Vuitton: Virgil Abloh” classic cartoon cover, “Louis Vuitton: Virgil Abloh” classic balloon cover, “The Impossible Collection of Champagne”
Iconic Collection: What exciting news can we share from the world of Assouline?
Alex Assouline: A recent notable highlight is our successful launch in collaboration with Louis Vuitton covering their late designer, Virgil Abloh [“Louis Vuitton: Virgil Abloh”].
IC: How does your team decide which projects to tackle next?
AA: As a company today, we carefully select each topic based on what we know and love. We have a big interest in the subjects we write about and make sure to familiarize ourselves in depth with the subject. To further enhance our works, we make it a priority to select some of the best, most notable authors for whichever specialized subject we have at hand. Our initial ideation when creating our works begins with either a love story, a destination, an artist, or even a brand. Whichever topic it may be, we are here to tell the story, celebrate their heritage, and make their legacy come alive in a timeless, beautifully made book.
Alex Assouline
IC: What artists, galleries, or upcoming museum shows do you have your eye on at the moment?
AA: Yes, I have a couple of exhibits that have caught my eye recently. I really liked the Casa Malaparte exhibition at Gagosian that was curated by one of my friends! I am also a huge fan of the designer Noguchi, and the eponymous museum in New York is showcasing an exhibition called “Noguchi Subscapes,” which I am looking forward to checking out. Finally, the Brooklyn Museum’s exhibit “Virgil Abloh: Figures of Speech” is a must-see; it is a beautiful display of Virgil’s creativity.
IC: What are some of your favorite spots around NYC to enjoy an artful experience in terms of dining, cocktails, and culture?
AA: New York needed a bit of French newness. The hospitality brand Fouquet’s is opening a hotel in Downtown Manhattan that includes a French restaurant, which I’m really excited about. Another place that I love is L’Ami Pierre, which recently opened in Midtown Manhattan, as well as The Flatiron Room, one of my favorite jazz spots in the city, with an extensive list of whiskey options. Finally, during the day I love to visit the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, as well as visiting The Met as much as I can.
A peek inside, The Impossible Collection of Champagne
