Culture Lounge by ASSOULINE

In this episode of the Culture Lounge podcast, recorded at Assouline's Mexico City boutique, Karla Martinez de Salas, Head of Editorial Content at Vogue Mexico and Latin America, and hotelier Kevin Wendle come together to reflect on the cities that have shaped them, and the one that continues to captivate them both. From the meditative stillness of Kyoto to the effortless sophistication of Par...

In this episode of Beyond the Cover, Brazilian photographer Sam Robles reveals the story behind  Football Roots . A decade. Eighteen countries. One enduring idea: the game, in its purest form, begins long before anyone is watching. Robles spent nearly ten years documenting the football that never reaches broadcast television: children playing in alleyways, on dirt fields, between two rocks standin...

In this episode of The Decisive Moment with Alex Assouline, Valentina De Santis, owner and CEO of Grand Hotel Tremezzo and Passalacqua, reflects on growing up inside a family legacy and the instincts that shaped her into one of hospitality's most quietly formidable leaders. Following Passalacqua's recognition as the best hotel in the world, De Santis speaks candidly about inheritance and i...

In this episode of Beyond the Cover, Daniel Arsham takes us beyond the pages of The Book of HOV Special Limited Edition, an exclusive collaboration between the celebrated visual artist and Assouline that extends the world of Jay-Z into an object of enduring significance. Arsham, who created the iconic "HOV Hands" sculpture for the Brooklyn Public Library exhibition, brings that same visi...

In this episode of Savoir Faire, Alex, Martine, and Prosper pull back the curtain on Football: The Impossible Collection, a love letter to the world's most beloved sport and an object entirely worthy of it. Housed in a handcrafted clamshell case complete with a 3D sculpture of a football, every detail was chosen to capture the soul of the game.  For more inspiration, head to ⁠assouline.com,⁠ where...

In this episode of Beyond the Cover, Claiborne Swanson Frank takes us beyond the pages of Father and Child, a photographic exploration of modern fatherhood that captures the joy, tenderness, and profound connection between fathers and their children. For more inspiration, head to assouline.com, where culture meets luxury.  To learn more about Father and Child visit assouline.com/products/lfather-a...

In this episode of The Decisive Moment, Gracious Hospitality Management Founder and CEO Simon Kim reflects on the pivotal choice that transformed his career and the philosophy that continues to guide it. Following the success of COTE, the world’s only Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse, and COQODAQ, his Michelin Bib Gourmand–recognized fried chicken restaurant, Kim speaks candidly about ambition,...

In this episode of Beyond The Cover, we sit down with Alexandra Fairweather, daughter of John Chamberlain and Director of the John Chamberlain Estate, as she takes us Beyond The Cover of “Living with Chamberlain”—a vibrant tribute to the legendary artist. The book highlights his boundary-pushing vision, lasting collector relationships, and a body of work that remains as formidable today as ever. F...

In this episode of the Beyond the Cover, Alex Assouline sits down with Marylin Fitoussi, the Emily in Paris costume designer, proclaims: “Books are the best accessories ever. So, less selfies and more books.” For more inspiration, head to assouline.com , where culture meets luxury. To learn more about Emily in Paris: The Fashion Guide, visit assouline.com/products/emily-in-paris-the-fashion-guide...

In this episode of the Culture Lounge podcast, we introduce Savoir Faire, a new series devoted to the rarest of arts: knowing exactly what to do, and doing it with intention. To open the series, Alex Assouline sits down with Martine and Prosper Assouline around a title that is, in every sense, a masterwork: Venice: La Serenissima. A portrait of the world's most alluring city, and an object worthy...

In this episode of the Culture Lounge podcast interior designer Miles Redd and Editorial Director of ELLE Decor and Editor-in-Chief of Town & Country Stellene Volandes come together for a conversation as layered and considered as the rooms that inspire it. They trace the winding paths that shaped their careers, step inside the world of auction houses, and reflect on the objects we choose to li...

There are conversations that inform. And then there are conversations that transform. Season Two of The Culture Lounge Podcast opens with the latter. Returning with a new series called The Decisive Moment, listeners are invited into something rarer than a typical interview: a genuine reckoning. Host Alex Assouline sits down with the visionaries who have shaped culture, art, and ideas, and asks the...

Hosted by Alex Assouline, the Culture Lounge podcast by Assouline launching on April 3 opens a new chapter, with new voices, new series, and an even deeper exploration of culture in all its forms.

“It’s so important to dream. And people always say, your life starts when your comfort level ends.” - Aerin Lauder In this chapter of Assouline’s Culture Lounge , we’re learning about interior design with the founder and creative director of global luxury lifestyle brand AERIN, Aerin Lauder, and former Ralph Lauren designer and current founder and creative director behind his namesake studio, Alfr...

“Carbone is the show. It's not the dinner before the show.” - Jeff Zalaznick In this chapter of Assouline’s Culture Lounge , we’re getting a taste of cuisine with renowned chef Mario Carbone and restaurateur Jeff Zalaznick. Mario and Jeff share how a joint love of Italian-American food led to the creation of Carbone, explain how the word “yes” is at the core of what they do, and describe the first...

“What are you passing down? What’s the legacy?” - Young Guru In this chapter of Assouline’s Culture Lounge , we’re getting lost in the creative minds of one of the most influential radio personalities, Angie Martinez, and one of hip-hop’s most sought-after producers and engineers, Young Guru. Angie and Guru paint a picture of the diversity of the NYC music scene in the ‘90s, describe the curse of...

“ We tried to bring excitement [at Christie’s], and we could with Contemporary Art because the artists were alive, because the art was challenging.” - Philippe Ségalot In this chapter of Assouline’s Culture Lounge , we’re dreaming about art with the founder of Ségalot LP and Christie’s former International Head of Contemporary Art, Philippe Ségalot, and the award-winning art critic, journalist, an...

“It’s more than a job. It’s like a religion or an obsession.” - Sébastien Labe In this chapter of Assouline’s Culture Lounge , we’re traveling to Paris to learn the nuances of fine wines with 2004’s Best Sommelier of the World, Enrico Bernardo, and executive head sommelier for Cheval Blanc Courchevel and LVMH Hotel Management, Sébastien Labe. Enrico and Sébastien share their favorite sommelier mem...

“The right piece of clothing at the right time. It kind of gives you a superpower.” - Linda Fargo In this chapter of Assouline’s Culture Lounge , we’re immersing ourselves in the fashion industry with Senior Vice President of Women’s Fashion and Store Presentation Director at Bergdorf Goodman , Linda Fargo, and Emmy Award-winning fashion journalist, contributor to CBS Sunday Morning , and host of...

“Watches don’t just tell time.” – Geoff Hess In this chapter of Assouline’s Culture Lounge , we’re delving into the world of watches with the Global Head of Watches at Sotheby’s and RollieFest founder, Geoff Hess, and vintage watch specialist, Mike Nouveau . Geoff and Mike take us behind the scenes of auction houses, share stories of their treasure hunting, explain why “investment” used to be a di...

“Say yes, yes, yes to everything.” – Melinda Stevens In this chapter of Assouline’s Culture Lounge , we’re expanding our horizons with model, actress, and citizen of the world, Poppy Delevingne , and former global editor of Condé Nast Traveler and brand and content strategist, Melinda Stevens . Poppy and Melinda, who are niece and aunt, reminisce over their favorite formative French Riviera memori...

This September, Assouline is unveiling the Culture Lounge podcast, a curated sonic experience that brings together artists, visionaries, and tastemakers in conversation from around the world. For the last 30 years, Assouline has created books at the center of culture and luxury, covering everything from wine and watches, to fashion, lifestyle, travel, and sports. Now, we’re inviting you into our w...