assouline
Assouline is a company that offers luxury books on fashion, travel, design, art, architecture, and cuisine.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
assouline firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- assouline
- Legal name
- Assouline Publishing, Inc.
- Website
- http://www.assouline.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Assouline is a company that offers luxury books on fashion, travel, design, art, architecture, and cuisine.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
assouline industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Luxury Publishing
- NAICS
- Book Retailers and News Dealers (459210)
- SIC
- Retail-Misc General Merchandise Stores (5399)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Humor, Gift & Specialty Format Books (Journals, Coloring, etc.) (MPAJAAAN)
Keywords
Where assouline is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
assouline business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others
Revenue model
- Gift sets and bundled products: Curated gift sets combining books with related products such as candles and tote bags, offering premium gifting solutions.
- Luxury coffee table book sales: One-time purchase of hand-bound, oversized coffee table books across multiple collections (Ultimate, Legends, Classics, Icons, Travel Series, Hospitality). Books range from standard editions ($60-$200) to limited special editions ($1,000-$20,000). Primary revenue driver.
- Library accessories and objects: Sale of complementary luxury home objects including bookstands, bookends, trinket boxes, backgammon sets, and accessory trays made from premium materials (walnut wood, brushed brass, pebbled leather, suede).
- Scented candles and home fragrance: Luxury candles and reed diffusers inspired by culture, travel, and design, composed with artisans, designers, and master perfumers. Includes Library Collection and Travel From Home lines.
- Boutique experiences: Revenue from flagship boutique locations featuring luxury retail environments including Swans Bar, driving experiential commerce alongside product sales.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Standard/Classic editions |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Ultimate Collection |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | The Impossible Collection |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Special Edition signed copies |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | XXL Special Editions |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Ultimate Tower display |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Scented candles |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
assouline product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Assouline is a luxury publishing house that designs, produces, and sells hand-bound, oversized coffee table books across categories such as art, fashion, travel, design, architecture, gastronomy, and sports. The company complements its books with luxury home fragrance products (scented candles and reed diffusers) and library accessories (bookstands, bookends, trinket boxes, backgammon sets, and accessory trays) made from premium materials. It also publishes limited and numbered collector editions developed in collaboration with luxury brands, cultural institutions, and iconic personalities.
Product overview
Assouline is a luxury publishing house founded in 1994 that produces high-end coffee table books and refined home décor accessories. The company's core product portfolio centers on its book collections: the Ultimate Collection (large hand-bound volumes in clamshell cases), Legends Collection (collector editions in slipcases), Special Editions (limited-run collaborations), The Impossible Collection (100-masterpiece curated anthologies), Travel Series, Wine & Travel, Chic Series, Icons Collection, and Hospitality Collection. Complementing the books are the Library Collection (bookstands, bookends, accessories crafted from walnut wood, brushed brass, pebbled leather, and suede) and Assouline Scents (luxury scented candles and reed diffusers including Library Collection and Travel From Home lines). The company has expanded into digital content with the Culture Lounge Podcast (available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, now in its second season) and Culture Lounge Magazine. Products are distributed through company boutiques worldwide, the assouline.com e-commerce platform, and select retail partners. Shipping is complimentary on orders over $200.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Culture Lounge: A podcast featuring conversations with cultural figures including Emmy-winning creator Darren Star, interior designer Miles Redd, and Michelin-starred restaurateur Simon Kim, covering topics spanning travel, interior design, watchmaking, fashion, gastronomy, and wine.
Products and services
- Ultimate Collection Large and oversized hand-bound coffee table books presented in elegant clamshell cases, celebrating haute couture, fine art, travel, architecture, and gastronomy.
- Legends Collection Collector's editions presented in a stylish slipcase, honoring icons, movements, and maisons that have shaped culture and style across generations.
- Special Editions Limited edition coffee table books featuring hand-binding, hand-tipped plates on art-quality paper, metal or rubber-adorned clamshells, mounted title plaques, and leather-lined cases.
- The Impossible Collection Curated collector's editions assembling 100 masterpieces representing the pinnacle of various fields, from iconic automobiles to rarest watches, couture landmarks to visionary works of art.
- Travel Series Travel-inspired books taking readers on journeys to most sought-after cities, sharing stories and celebrating hot spots and figures that have made each location a must-see destination.
- Wine & Travel Collection Wine travel series guided by World's Best Sommelier Enrico Bernardo, bringing together vineyard landscapes, hidden treasures, and cultural encounters across France, Italy, USA, and Mediterranean Islands.
- Chic Series Curated selection celebrating the unique styles and cultural richness of iconic cities including Milan, Venice, New York, Tokyo, Paris, and London.
- Icons Collection Compact lifestyle volumes celebrating inspiring stories and fascinating characters that define the art of living in quintessential Assouline style.
- Hospitality Collection Coffee table books created in partnership with the world's most distinguished hotels, resorts, and private clubs, transforming lobbies or homes into curated cultural experiences.
- Library Collection Objects forming the foundation of an Assouline library including bookstands, bookends, trinket boxes, backgammon sets, and accessory trays crafted from walnut wood, brushed brass, pebbled leather, and suede.
- Assouline Scents Luxury scented candles and reed diffusers inspired by culture, travel, and design, composed with artisans, designers, and master perfumers. Includes Library Collection and Travel From Home lines.
- Ultimate Tower Matte-black metal display stand crafted to prominently showcase up to ten Assouline Ultimate Collection titles, with Assouline logo engraved on the front of the base.
- Culture Lounge Podcast Podcast featuring conversations with cultural figures including Emmy-winning creator Darren Star, interior designer Miles Redd, and Michelin-starred restaurateur Simon Kim. Now in its second season.
- Gift Sets Curated gift combinations including book and candle sets, tote and book combinations, and multi-title collections with signature gift wrapping and complimentary white gloves with Ultimate editions.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 300 coffee table books in catalog
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use assouline
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
assouline technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
assouline partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, major, core and minor.
- Roc Nation / Jay-ZflagshipLuxury book partnership as part of JAŸ-Z 30, a citywide 30th anniversary celebration of the album Reasonable Doubt. Includes The Book of HOV: A Tribute to Jay-Z in Ultimate and Classic editions, with signed version at $4,000. Features immersive pop-ups at New York locations, subway activations, and merchandise through October 2026.
- Vespa (Piaggio)flagshipCollaboration celebrating Vespa's 80th anniversary featuring commemorative book 'Vespa X Assouline' authored by Michael Köckritz, a limited-edition collectible helmet in Assouline's signature red with Travel Series motifs, and decorated Vespas on display at Assouline stores worldwide through summer. Captures the spirit of la dolce vita through photography, vintage advertisements, and lifestyle storytelling.
- De Beers GroupmajorJoint launch of commemorative book 'A Diamond Is Forever: The Making of A Cultural Icon 1926-2026' tracing the history of the diamond marketing campaign that began in the 1930s. Documents how De Beers transformed diamonds from exclusive luxury items into symbols of romantic milestones and aspirational living.
- Netflixmajor'Emily in Paris: The Fashion Guide' book detailing costumes and fashion choices from the Netflix series, curated by costume designer Marylin Fitoussi. Released ahead of the show's fifth season premiere, featuring behind-the-scenes insights and images.
- Michael Jordan / Jordan Brandflagship'Air Jordan' commemorative book celebrating 40 years of the Air Jordan brand. Features rare materials from Nike's corporate archives, exclusive images from Annie Leibovitz, and interviews with key Jordan Brand insiders. Ultimate edition limited to 1,000 hand-numbered copies.
- Raffles Hotels & Resortscore'Raffles: From Your Butler' book as part of Assouline's Hospitality Collection, documenting the legacy and service of the iconic luxury hotel brand.
- The Players' Tribune / Derek JetermajorBook launch with first-hand stories from the world's most famous athletes, published in collaboration with Derek Jeter's The Players' Tribune.
- Apple MusicminorMusic streaming partner for JAŸ-Z 30 celebrations, part of broader cultural activation for Reasonable Doubt anniversary.
- Brooklyn Public LibraryminorCultural partner for JAŸ-Z 30 celebrations, issuing commemorative Brooklyn Public Library cards as part of the activation.
- SpotifyminorMusic streaming partner for JAŸ-Z 30 celebrations, featuring Spotify subway line wraps as part of the New York City activation.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
assouline competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Taschen: German-based global publisher of high-end coffee table and art books across fashion, art, architecture, design, and pop culture. Taschen is Assouline's most direct competitor, with overlapping formats, price points, and a similar focus on oversized illustrated volumes sold through boutiques, e-commerce, and museum stores.
- Rizzoli International Publications: Long-established New York-based publisher of illustrated books on fashion, art, architecture, interior design, and lifestyle. Rizzoli operates a flagship Rizzoli Bookstore in NYC and competes directly with Assouline in the luxury illustrated book category, often with comparable price points and gifting positioning.
- Phaidon Press: London and New York-based publisher of high-quality books on visual arts, architecture, design, fashion, food, and culture. Phaidon's oversized, design-led titles and giftable formats position it as a close comparable to Assouline's Ultimate and Legends Collections.
- Skira Editore: Italian art and cultural publisher producing premium monographs, exhibition catalogues, and collectible volumes on fine art, photography, fashion, and design. Skira's Italian craftsmanship heritage and luxury positioning closely mirror Assouline's artisanal, design-forward approach.
- Vendome Press: New York-based luxury illustrated book publisher focused on architecture, interiors, gardens, art, and design. Vendome Press targets the same affluent collector audience and museum-store retail channels as Assouline, with similarly premium price points.
- Flammarion: French publisher of illustrated books across art, lifestyle, fashion, interiors, and culture, part of the Madrigall group. Flammarion is a natural European counterpart to Assouline with overlapping subject matter, format philosophy, and global museum and boutique distribution.
- ACC Art Books: UK-based publisher of high-quality illustrated books on art, architecture, design, fashion, and photography, distributed globally. ACC's oversized formats and premium positioning overlap with Assouline's Ultimate and Legends Collections.
- Steidl: German publisher renowned for high-end photography, art, and fashion books produced with obsessive craft. Steidl shares Assouline's positioning of books as collectible art objects and competes in the same premium photographic and art-book niches.
Broad incumbents
- Abrams Books: Established US trade publisher with a significant illustrated and gift book list spanning art, photography, design, cooking, and pop culture. Abrams operates at a broader scale than Assouline but overlaps in the giftable, illustrated coffee-table category.
- Chronicle Books: San Francisco-based independent publisher known for distinctive, design-forward illustrated, gift, and specialty books across lifestyle categories. Chronicle overlaps with Assouline on design-led, giftable formats but serves a broader, less luxury-skewed price band.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
assouline social profiles
Digital presenceassouline financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
assouline leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
assouline funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
assouline M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about assouline
What does assouline do?
Assouline is a luxury publishing house that designs, produces, and sells hand-bound, oversized coffee table books across categories such as art, fashion, travel, design, architecture, gastronomy, and sports. The company complements its books with luxury home fragrance products (scented candles and reed diffusers) and library accessories (bookstands, bookends, trinket boxes, backgammon sets, and accessory trays) made from premium materials. It also publishes limited and numbered collector editions developed in collaboration with luxury brands, cultural institutions, and iconic personalities.
Is assouline a public or private company?
assouline is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was assouline founded?
assouline was founded in 1994. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is assouline based?
assouline is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does assouline make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Gift sets and bundled products are the primary driver. The others are luxury coffee table book sales, library accessories and objects, scented candles and home fragrance and boutique experiences.
Who are assouline's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Taschen, Rizzoli International Publications, Phaidon Press, Skira Editore, Vendome Press, Flammarion, ACC Art Books and Steidl. Broad incumbents are Abrams Books and Chronicle Books.
Does assouline have an API?
No public API is recorded for assouline.
What industry is assouline in?
assouline's product category is Luxury Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAAAN, Humor, Gift & Specialty Format Books (Journals, Coloring, etc.). Its NAICS code is 459210 and its SIC code is 5399.