Where culture meets luxury
Today, through its exceptionally crafted books, home fragrances, and objets d’art, Assouline invites the intellectual and curious into a world of beauty. Here, we invite you to learn the history of the brand, which was founded in Paris in 1994 by Prosper and Martine Assouline.
1994
Everything began in 1993, when Martine and Prosper Assouline were at La Colombe d’Or hotel in France, one of their most loved places in the world. As they were experiencing its beauty together, their curiosity for life and love of books inspired them to make their own tome about the hotel. Prosper took the pictures, Martine wrote the text, and La Colombe D'Or became their first book, released in 1994. Today, each Assouline book is still created with the same marriage of talent and passion: Martine’s editorial direction and Prosper’s creative vision.
1996
Assouline publishes The Memoir Collection with the most influential people and movements in art, fashion, beauty, design, architecture, and gastronomy. The collection is translated into 10 languages and becomes a worldwide success.
2003
Bergdorf Goodman dedicates a window to Assouline on Fifth Avenue, and a corner on the
7th floor.
2006
Assouline opens the first standalone boutique in Saint Germain des Prés, in the heart of Paris, featuring a cabinet of curiosities, showcasing their complete collection of books & vintage objects.
2007
Assouline opens its global headquarters in New York.
2010
The first title of the Impossible Collection launches, and first volume in the collection is dedicated to Art. Made in Italy with a clamshell encasement and hand-stitched bindings, the book becomes the epitome of luxury bookmaking.
2010 - 2012
Assouline opens boutiques in Istanbul, Seoul, Le Bon Marché in Paris, Claridge’s in London, The Mark Hotel, and The Plaza Hotel in New York.
2014
To celebrate the brand’s 20th year anniversary, Assouline opens Maison Assouline on Piccadily in the heart of London, showcasing the complete Assouline world for the first time. Maison Assouline also debuts Swans Bar, Assouline’s first hospitality concept.
2016
The Impossible Collection of Wine launches, pushing boundaries of packaging design with the book’s cork cover and wooden crate.
2017
Assouline launches its first travel series title, with cover artwork hand drawn by Martine Assouline.
2018
Assouline introduces branded corners, partnering with specialty retailers on designated spaces in their stores dedicated to Assouline all around the world.
2019
Assouline creates an opportunity for the reader to immerse themselves in the title with the XXL format. Each edition weighs over 75lbs with a width of over 40 inches.
2019
Assouline partnered with One Tree Planted in 2019 to plant one tree for every book made. Since then, we have helped plant over 200,000 trees—the equivalent of ten Central Parks—and supported revegetation projects in post-wildfire Australia, Brazil’s Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor and the Northeastern United States, among other regions. For every book sold at retail, one tree is planted.
2023
Assouline launches a new line of home fragrances, inspired by the best selling Travel Series.
2024
Pantone releases the “Assouline Red” color culminating a longstanding creative partnership between the brands, and officially recognizing the signature shade.