Why Assouline Makes the Most Stunning Coffee Table Books You‘ll Ever Own

Hey there fellow fashionistas and book lovers! If you‘re obsessed with the finer things like moi, then you know that an Assouline book is the ultimate addition to any chic library or living room. These aren‘t just any ordinary coffee table books—they‘re works of art! But let‘s be real, Assouline‘s prices can be pretty jaw-dropping. So today, we‘re diving into the glamorous world of Assouline to uncover why their books are so expensive and whether they‘re worth the splurge.

In this tell-all review, I‘ll be spilling the tea on:

• The history of Assouline and how they became the "Rolls Royce" of publishing
• The most drool-worthy (and pricey!) Assouline books and why collectors are obsessed
• What makes Assouline books so darn luxurious—we‘re talking the materials, the craftsmanship, the exclusivity!
• Dishing on Assouline‘s bougie brand collabs and expansion into interior design
• My honest take on whether Assouline books are worth shelling out the big bucks as a collector and fashion devotee

So grab a café au lait, and let‘s get into it!

The Story Behind the World‘s Most Sophisticated Publisher

You might be wondering, what‘s the deal with Assouline? How did they become the go-to brand for glamazons and latte-sipping aesthetes? Let me break it down for you, chérie.

It all started back in 1994, when chic Parisian couple Prosper and Martine Assouline decided to create a gorgeous book commemorating their fave hotel in France. Well, that book was a smash hit and the rest is history! They launched their publishing house Assouline with the goal of capturing art, luxury and culture in the most elevated way possible.

Fast forward to today, and Assouline is an absolute publishing powerhouse. According to Business of Fashion, Assouline rakes in over $24 million in annual sales and has over 1,400 titles under its belt. They‘ve collaborated with the biggest names in fashion, like Chanel, Dior, and Valentino, to release super exclusive editions that have collectors scrambling. Plus, their chic coffee table books have popped up in the most fashionable homes across the globe and on celebrity Instagrams.

But Assouline isn‘t just dominating the world of publishing. They‘ve expanded into brick-and-mortar with 12 gorgeous concept stores around the world, from Paris to Seoul, where you can browse their tomes and shop luxury library decor, furniture and gifts. And in 2020, Assouline actually made more revenue from their boutiques, brand collabs, and special editions than traditional book sales! Talk about expanding an empire.

What I love about Assouline is that they‘ve managed to make books cool again in the digital age. Their tomes aren‘t just things you read, but stunning objets d‘art you display with pride. Flipping through an Assouline book is a sensorial experience, from the smooth, thick pages to the intoxicating new book smell. It‘s almost addictive!

The Most Extravagant Assouline Books (and Their Equally Extravagant Prices)

Of course, I can‘t write an Assouline review without dishing on their most epic, over-the-top books. Yes, these are the ones that cost more than your monthly rent but are so beautiful you almost want to cry. Let‘s peek at some of Assouline‘s most expensive offerings, shall we?

The Impossible Collection of Watches ($895)

If you‘re a watch aficionado, this hand-bound, 200-page tome is basically porn. It showcases the 100 most important timepieces of the 20th century, from groundbreaking designs to blinged out jewels. And get this—it comes in a gorgeous wooden box AND includes white gloves for handling. Ugh, the attention to detail is just chef‘s kiss.

The Impossible Collection of Cars ($895)

Rev up your engines, because this baby features the 100 most exceptional cars of the 20th century. The cover is actually made from rubber used in auto tires! Inside, you‘ll swoon over vintage Bugattis, Ferraris, and more. Only 1,000 copies were made, so this is a legit treasure for car collectors.

Versailles: From Louis XIV to Jeff Koons ($895)

If you‘re a fan of all things opulent and over-the-top, this stunning book on the Château de Versailles is a must-have. It has over 300 pages of stunning photography, plus insider deets on the palace‘s storied history. But the real kicker? The limited edition comes in a silk clamshell case. I die!

Now, I know what you‘re thinking. $895 for a BOOK?! But trust me, these aren‘t just books. They‘re mega collectibles and works of art. In fact, some of Assouline‘s most coveted limited editions have sold for nearly $10,000 at auctions! So if you‘re looking to invest in a book that will only go up in value, Assouline is the way to go.

Why Assouline Books Are Basically the Birkins of the Publishing World

So why exactly do Assouline books cost as much as a pair of Jimmy Choos? Is it just the brand name you‘re paying for? Au contraire, mon ami! Let me break down all the juicy deets that make Assouline books so gosh darn luxurious.

The Materials

Assouline doesn‘t skimp when it comes to their books‘ materials. We‘re talking archival-quality paper, hand-tipped images, silk covers, and even exotic skins! For example, their special edition "South Pole" book was actually bound in white fur to evoke snowy vibes. Tre chic!

The Craftsmanship

Ma chérie, Assouline books are basically haute couture. Each tome is handcrafted using traditional techniques, like hand-binding, stitching, and gilding. In fact, some books can take nearly 600 hours to create—that‘s basically a couture gown! No mass production here, honey.

The Exclusivity

Part of the thrill of collecting Assouline books is how limited they are. Often, only 100-1,000 copies are released, making them instant rarities. And once they‘re gone, they‘re gone! It‘s not unusual to see a sold-out Assouline book going for 10x the original price on the resale market. The hustle is real.

The Access

What I love about Assouline is how they partner with the most exclusive brands, photographers, and artists to create books you literally cannot get anywhere else. When you buy an Assouline fashion book, you‘re not just getting rehashed runway looks. You‘re getting intimate, never-before-seen shots and deets straight from the source!

The Brand

Let‘s be real, owning an Assouline book is the ultimate status flex. It shows you appreciate the finer things and have taste to boot! Like a Birkin bag, an Assouline book is an entrée to an exclusive world of art, design, and culture. Can your basic bookstore find compete? Not a chance!

When you think about the caliber of materials, artistry, and insider access you get with an Assouline book, the price tags start to make a bit more sense. These aren‘t just books to read, but treasured objects to collect and pass down. It‘s the difference between a fast fashion H&M dress and a timeless Chanel jacket, you know?

How Assouline Is Bringing Fashion to Your Coffee Table

Okay, can we talk about how Assouline is basically the master of bougie brand collabs? As a fashion fanatic, I literally squeal whenever they announce a new partnership. Assouline isn‘t just serving looks on your coffee table, but bringing your fave fashion houses to life!

Some of Assouline‘s past fashion collabs have been the stuff of legend. In 2018, they teamed up with Chanel to release a special edition set of books in a chic slipcase that low-key looked like a classic 2.55 bag. And for Dior‘s 70th anniversary, Assouline released a ginormous tome full of rare sketches and photos that had every fashion girl frothing at the mouth.

But beyond just slapping a logo on a book, what I love about Assouline‘s collabs is how they really capture each brand‘s essence and heritage. Like, flipping through the Valentino book actually felt like stepping into Valentino Garavani‘s atelier and getting a front row seat to his creative genius. Assouline has this uncanny knack for distilling a brand‘s DNA onto the page.

And fashion isn‘t Assouline‘s only domain, honey! They‘ve been expanding more and more into the world of interior design, curating covetable library collections for the most exclusive hotels and residences around the world. In 2020, Assouline launched a whole furniture and decor line, so you can basically transform your living room into an Assouline-approved haven. Can you imagine how chic your bookshelves would look decked out in their signature red? To die!

It‘s clear Assouline has its perfectly-manicured fingers in all sorts of stylish pies. I wouldn‘t be surprised if they ventured into fashion accessories or even home goods soon. An Assouline candle? Notebook? Heck, even a coffee cup? Name something chicer, I‘ll wait.

Okay, But Are Assouline Books Really Worth The Hype (and Hefty Price Tags)?

Alright, brass tacks time. You came here for an honest Assouline review, and I‘m going to give it to you straight. Are Assouline books worth the splurge? In my totally biased bibliophile opinion…heck YES!

Let me preface this by saying, I totally get the sticker shock. Paying $600 for a book when you can get a paperback at Barnes & Noble for $20 is a tough pill to swallow. And I‘m not going to pretend that Assouline books are a necessity or super accessible to everyone. These are a straight up luxury and collectible.

But if you‘re someone who genuinely appreciates art, design, and fine craftsmanship, there‘s just nothing like an Assouline book. Every element is thoughtfully curated to create a completely transportive experience. It‘s not just an "Ooh, pretty pictures" thing, but feeling like you‘ve been granted exclusive access to a rarefied world.

As a fashion lover and avid book collector, I‘ve been slowly building my Assouline collection over the years, and let me tell you, they are the crown jewels of my library! I have the Valentino book displayed on a lucite stand in my living room, and it never fails to be a conversation starter whenever I have guests over. Even my most stylish friends‘ jaws drop when they see it!

What I really love about collecting Assouline books is that they truly appreciate in value over time. Some of their books are so coveted by collectors that they can go for nearly 10 times the original price on the resale market! In a weird way, buying an Assouline book almost feels like an investment in art. And the best part is, these books will literally last a lifetime and can be passed down to my future kids (or cats, let‘s be real).

But beyond just the collector‘s appeal, what keeps me coming back to Assouline is their sheer dedication to beauty, culture, and craftsmanship in an increasingly digital, fast-fashion world. There‘s something so refreshing about escaping into these tomes that are lovingly made with the utmost care and attention to detail. When so much of our lives is scrolling through endless feeds, spending a few hours getting lost in a sumptuous Assouline book is the most luxurious treat.

Of course, Assouline‘s books aren‘t everyone‘s cup of tea, and that‘s totally okay! If you‘d rather plop down with a juicy beach read or a dog-eared true crime paperback, I get it. Assouline is definitely a specialized taste and caters to a pretty niche crowd.

But if you‘re someone who gets weak in the knees for a gorgeous art book, obsesses over the history of fashion houses, or just wants to add a serious status symbol to your living room…honey, Assouline is that girl. Once you go Assouline, you never go back!

The Final Word

So my darlings, there you have it! The 411 on all things Assouline, straight from a certified book snob and fashionista. I hope this Assouline review shed some light on why their books are so dang pricey and gave you a little peek into the fabulous world of fashion‘s favorite publisher.

As a longtime fan and collector of Assouline, I can honestly say that their books are truly special objets d‘art that have brought me so much joy over the years. Yes, they‘re probably the most expensive books I own, but they‘re also the ones I treasure most deeply. There‘s just no other publisher out there putting the same level of artistry, access, and sheer opulence into every single page.

If you‘re a fashionista looking for a truly exceptional addition to your coffee table or a budding book collector ready to start investing in some grail-worthy tomes, I can‘t recommend Assouline enough. Every book is like a glimpse into a impossibly chic universe that mere mortals can only dream of!

But I‘d be remiss if I didn‘t mention that Assouline books aren‘t a necessity by any means. These are a true indulgence and luxury that won‘t be everyone‘s first priority. That‘s the beauty of books—there‘s something at every price point depending on your budget and taste.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is finding books that bring you pure joy and enrich your life, whether it‘s a splurge-y Assouline tome or a beloved dog-eared paperback. As long as you‘re flipping through pages that make your heart sing, who cares about the price tag?

But if you do decide to take the plunge into the wonderful world of Assouline, just be prepared for a lifelong obsession! Don‘t say I didn‘t warn you, ma chérie. Happy collecting!