By Phebe Wahl By Phebe Wahl | November 16, 2022 | Lifestyle,
As chief operating officer for operations, brand and strategy of Assouline, Alex Assouline has always had an artful eye for curation. We asked him to share a page from his book.
What exciting news can we share from the world of Assouline?
Some recent highlights that have been notable include our successful launch in collaboration with Louis Vuitton covering their late designer Virgil Abloh and the opening of the new Assouline boutique located in Bal Harbour, Miami.
Alex Assouline
How does your team decide which projects to tackle next?
As a company today, we carefully select each topic based on what we know and love. Familiarity with the subject is always a must. 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.
Two waiters in tuxedos serve Veuve Clicquot Champagne on a scaffolding overlooking New York City as featured in The Impossible Collection of Champagne (Assouline)
What artists, galleries or upcoming museum shows do you have your eye on at the moment?
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.
The cover of The Impossible Collection of Champagne
What are some of your favorite spots around NYC to enjoy an artful experience in terms of dining, cocktails and culture?
New York needed a bit of French newness. The hospitality brand Fouquet’s is opening a hotel in downtown Manhattan including a French restaurant, which I’m really excited about.
Perrier-Jouët’s 18th century Maison Belle Époque in Épernay was restored to its original art nouveau style in 2017.
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.
Photography by: PORTRAIT BY CHRIS CARTER; TWO WAITERS PHOTO © PHOTO BY KEYSTONE/GETTY IMAGES; PHOTO COURTESY OF ASSOULINE; PERRIER-JOUËT PHOTO © MAISON PERRIËR-JOUET; PHOTOS COURTESY OF ASSOULINE