BOOK SMART: A raft of cultural figures gathered Tuesday in Paris for the 30th anniversary of Assouline, with an intimate cocktail party and private dinner held at the recently renovated Maxim’s.
In keeping with the evening’s “touch of red” dress code nodding to Assouline’s signature color, guests mingled over cocktails such as the crimson-hued Manhattan and a tequila-based creation dubbed Assouline Red. For those who were tee-totaling, chilled cranberry juice was being passed around in tall glasses.
Fashion executive Sidney Toledano, Suzy Menkes and former Formula One boss Jean Todt were among those who toasted Prosper and Martine Assouline, the couple who launched the publishing house in 1994.
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Alongside them were their son Alexandre, the company’s chief of brand, operations and strategy; his wife Solange, who works on strategy and development, and Yaffa Assouline, a journalist, consultant and creative art director who is also Prosper’s sister.
Conversations were lively throughout the glittering soiree, with authors sharing tidbits about the volumes they had worked on with the publisher while fans shared book bucket lists or fantasies of building custom libraries — a service now offered by the company.
“Thirty years is a long distance. But rest assured, I’m not about to talk about our path. We decided to make a book,” quipped Martine Assouline as she thanked contributors and friends in a mid-dinner address.
The book in question is a 450-page volume titled “Assouline by Assouline” that includes contributions from Aerin Lauder; tennis champion Roger Federer; Carlos Souza, global brand ambassador for Valentino; former Saks Fifth Avenue president and chief merchandising officer Ron Frasch, and many more. Not available for sale, it was later presented to each guest.
“We built a destiny that has always mixed our family and our friends with our passion for this brand,” continued the cofounder, who was recently awarded the Légion d’Honneur in the 2024 summer honors list. Prosper Assouline was decorated as Chevalier des Arts et Lettres in 2011.
“This adventure is magnificent, 30 years of projects, more than 2,000 books to create our curio cabinet,” he added. “But I can promise you the adventure’s only starting, we’ve only written the first chapter.”
Earlier that day, the publishing house — which has redefined itself as a luxury brand — revealed its latest project, called Culture Lounge, and spearheaded by Alexandre Assouline. Part podcast, part digital magazine, this new platform is meant to extend the universe of the books.
Asked what he wished for, the Assouline scion said all he could hope for was 30 more years of business and fun as a family.
As the main course was cleared away, musical group Gipsy Kings took to the stage to serenade the room, their vibrant voices accompanying guests who slipped away into the Parisian night.
