The old adage goes “Behind every good man is a good woman.” In the case of Prosper and Martine Assouline, they stand side by side. Passionate collaborators in life, love and business, these two are nothing short of emissaries of culture. The couple exudes international elegance, and how could they not? Martine is African-born and Swiss- and South American-raised; Prosper was Morocco-born and Paris-bred. It is fitting that the French saying Savoir Vivre, is a cornerstone of their personal and creative philosophies — and thanks to their eponymous publishing house, the couple not only shares this knowing how to live, but defines it. Responsible for some of the world’s most beautiful and luxurious books, Assouline publishes subjects that represent the full spectrum of its founders’ interests, the very pinnacles of lifestyle: art, design, travel, and of course, fashion. For it isn’t just knowing how to live, but knowing what to cherish, what to immortalize, and what to present to the world. 

Their story began in 1991 when they fell in love, married, and then had their son Alexander. The couple welcomed their second “child” in ‘95, in the form of their first published collaboration. With words by Martine and images by Prosper, the book depicts La Colombe D’Or, a charming hotel in the south of France they call a “second home” — and which also boasts one of the world’s most impressive collections of modern art. At that time Martine was director of communications at Rochas, and Prosper, an artistic director, was producing iconic creative for fashion houses like Dior and Chanel. In creating books together the imaginative couple could combine their interests, talents and ingenuity completely free from constraints. And Voila! Assouline established in Paris, opened New York offices in 2000, and to date has published over 1,000 titles running the gamut from “Poker,” “Pennies” and “Planets” to “Panama Hats,” “Portraits of the Renaissance” and “Picasso.”

Though prolific, Assouline is highly discriminating. According to Martine, a prospective topic must “seduce” both she and her husband, and each book must herald aspects of life that they value. Subjects must have rich histories yet maintain contemporary relevance. Perpetually asked how technology might threaten publishing, the couple remains unperturbed. For true luxury is not something that could be threatened by progress. While novels are just as interesting via Kindle, Assouline books are themselves luxury items, as well as cultural tributes; the brand itself represents timeless standards of taste and style. Not to say the company or its founders are Luddites. Several books revere technology, such as the just released “Gaia,” Guy Laliberté’s collection of photographs of the Earth shot while aboard a private space voyage. Assouline has even created an iPad app for “Coca Cola,” their commemoration of the iconic beverage. 

With Prosper and Martine, aesthetics reign supreme for Assouline books are true objects d’art, transcendent in their design and beautiful to look at and touch. Everything is executed in house, the pair keenly watching over each detail. Martine runs the day-to-day operations and editorial while Prosper oversees creative and strategic development. It is this ardent attention, singular perspective, and unmatched collaboration that ensures brand integrity and continuity, and what distinguishes Assouline from its competitors. 

However, this isn’t all that sets Assouline apart. Prosper and Martine adamantly refuse to be categorized or limited. Rather than be defined as solely publishers, they have evolved Assouline into an empire, an “engine of culture… anchored by books but no longer limited to paper and pages.” Beyond bound works, Assouline offers exclusive collectibles and gifts like leather- and wood-scented candles, paperweights, stationary, and even custom-designed Goyard and MCM trunks for travelling with book collections — all objects that support a life well lived. Assouline locations in global cities like Paris, London, Mexico City and Istanbul serve as the archetype for incredible libraries, rather than mere retail locations. Prosper himself designed the sprawling Las Vegas flagship, bringing the Assouline lifestyle from the shelves into the space. The company even offers custom library design — Frette for the bedroom, Boffi for the kitchen, Assouline for the library, n’est pas? 

The pair is busy to say the least, for we must remember that culture also means “to grow and cultivate.” In this area Prosper and Martine shine. They have grown their business into France’s largest independent publisher, and their brand into a global reference point for all things worthy of attention. Over the years their beloved hotel Colombe D’Or has remained unchanged, and the couple cherishes that it has not overthrown its historic luxury. Why tamper with perfection? Likewise, their first book remains a testament to their combined creativity. Both acknowledge they wouldn’t change a thing, and indeed the lifestyle connoisseurs who purchase the book year after year would agree. No matter how far technology takes us, or the trends of the day, true taste, style and luxury will always be timeless. Prosper and Martine not only have their fingers on the pulse of culture, they cultivate it. Such is the alchemy of their collaboration and the genius of their unmistakable Savoir Vivre. — Erika