Cecil Beaton: The Art of the Scrapbook

Cecil Beaton: The Art of the Scrapbook

Cecil Beaton was one of the 20th century's most important photographers, and now for the first time ever, Assouline presents his private scrapbooks—personal collections of the man who helped invent the cult of personality.

American Fashion Accessories

Starting in the twentieth century, the American accessory designer looked to Europe and then said, "I can do better." In a book commissioned by the Council of Fashion Designers of America and edited by Candy Pratts Price, with writing by Jessica Glasscock and Art Tavee, their achievements are revealed: a century of objects of necessity and desire poured forth to boutiques and department stores across the United States and the world. The forward-thinking American accessory designer, in collusion with America's royalty–the Hollywood star–and in sync with the unstoppable dominance of a rebellious popular culture, has assembled a cabinet of curiosities, including everything from Adrian's witty Hollywood hats to Ralph Lauren's all-American accoutrement to Madonna's rubber bracelets. It is a tradition that continues today with a stellar group of CFDA designers whose work exemplifies the American accessory. American Fashion Accessories

Oscar Niemeyer

Oscar Niemeyer, the last surviving father of Modernist architecture, rose to prominence at Le Corbusier’s side but ultimately swerved from the hard, straight lines of orthodox Modernism. Instead he forged a parallel track that mimics the crescendos and denouements of human feeling through swooping curves, graceful arches, and sensuous lines. Using reinforced concrete, he has elevated the everyday to the sublime. Assouline is proud to present the limited edition Oscar Niemeyer, the most complete and lavish exploration of his 101-year life and career. Sketches and original photography, alongside contributions from Tadao Ando, Santiago Calatrava, Frank Gehry, and Zaha Hadid, affirm Niemeyer’s considerable and continuing influence on twentieth and twenty-first-century architecture.

The Ultimate Collection: BARBIE

BARBIE - in the series of THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION.

Assembled using the traditional anglaise technique and color-tipped by hand on art-quality paper, each page of this limited edition series bears the unique imprint of the artisan. The Assouline Ultimate Collection heralds a return to luxury, care, and mystique of a fine, hand-bound book.

Barbie Limited Edition
by Yona Zeldis McDonough

Big-eyed, blonde, and beautiful, Barbie took over the world in 1959 with little more than a white-and-black striped bathing suit and a pair of high heels. Today, Mattel sells three Barbies a second, and children in more than one hundred and fifty countries know her name. Now, on her fiftieth anniversary as cultural icon, Assouline presents the ultimate collector’s volume on the world’s most popular doll. Encapsulating her history, chronicling her fashion, and imagining her life as a woman of mystery, glamour, and fun, Barbie presents this totemic figure as never seen before—in vivid dioramas of Barbie at work and play and in portraits of vintage dolls and accessories. A muse for children and adults, designers and artists, writers and cultural critics, Barbie remains a powerfully evocative and enigmatic reflection of our dreams, our hopes, and ourselves.

GALLERY PRINT - ORO PLATA - AFTER A BULLFIGHT

Based on the embroidered costumes of the bullfight, Oro Plata is culmination of Peter Müller's work studying this craft and lifestyle of Sourthern Spain. César Rincón's suit after a bullfight in Seville. "Pineapple" motif.

Venice Deluxe

There is no lack of books about Venice. This one is not another guide, but rather a personal and very lively inside view of a bon vivant, art historian, author, musician, and world traveler. Alexis Gregory first went to Venice nearly 50 years ago, and has been back every year since to enjoy both the high society and the great richness of art and architecture. He evokes the great palaces of Venice; legendary personalities he knew well like Peggy Guggenheim, Lily Volpi and Arrigo Cipriani; and great Venetian figures of the past such as the mad Marchesa Casati, the Sapphic muse Princess Winnaretta de Polignac, and the spoiled Charles de Besteigui.

PORTRAITS OF THE RENAISSANCE SPECIAL EDITION

PORTRAITS OF THE RENAISSANCE SPECIAL EDITION

Memling, Van Eyck, Antonello da Messina, Raphael, Holbein, Titian, Leonardo . . . these are the greatest names of the Renaissance which symbolize the ultimate in artistic achievement. Now their work is reproduced in this spectacular, luxury volume printed on cotton paper and exquisitely presented in a brown and turquoise linen case.
Whether Italian, Flemish, or German, all were masters of the portrait, a style that was popular and much appreciated during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The genius of these artists allowed them to overcome the limits of the genre and inscribe the art of portraiture into the universal history of mankind. Sharply focused and featuring meticulously researched illustrations, this beautiful book is the first of its kind to shed light on some of the most familiar images in art history.

High Society

With insight and nostalgia, High Society explores the intrigue of New York’s upper-class society and culture. From Greenwich Village and the Sugar House to Stone Street, author Nick Foulkes unravels Manhattan’s past, starting in the early seventeenth century and leading up to the prosperous present. With stories of the residents that have made and make up Manhattan’s lavish citizenry—the Vanderbilt, Frick, Morgan, and Astor families—and the restaurants, playhouses, galleries, and night clubs where they socialized—Le Grenouille, El Morocco, and Le Cirque—the narrative weaves the political, social, and literary moments of the eras, delivering a spectacle of culture beside a poignant selection of photography.

LEATHER BAG DESIGNED BY ASSOULINE MADE BY COLE HAAN

Beautiful genuine-leather unisex bag. Ideal for carrying books or laptop computer. Made by Cole Haan for Assouline. Embossed with numerals from the Didot alphabet. The inner canvas is lined with convenient zipper pockets. HOW TO ORDER: Exclusively available through the Assouline boutique at the Plaza Hotel in New York, visit or call: 768 Fifth Avenue Mezzanine Level New York, NY 10019

CHANEL SET

More than any other designer of her time, Gabrielle Chanel had the ability not only to predict the evolution of contemporary fashion, but also to see its future. Chanel was a true adventurer, always on the go, but sure of her feelings, which have made their mark on 20th-century fashion. This slipcase presents the history of Chanel, from its beginning through the creative trilogy which made this brand famous: Fashion, Jewelery and Perfume. CHANEL SET

LIBRARY BY COACH

Elegant and chic, this portable and contemporary library case holds 40 of Assouline’s ‘must-have’ Memoirs books on art, fashion, design and architecture. The distinctive saddle-stitched white leather library case, lined with red suede, tastefully displays Assouline’s logo on a small metal plaque in front. $2500

PICASSO - THE SCULPTURES OF PICASSO

Portfolio format with ribbons and loose 'poster' like photo prints in a beautiful slipcase. PICASSO - THE SCULPTURES OF PICASSO

Geoffrey Beene

Geoffrey Beene was fiercely independent, radical, subversive, and loved by ladies who lunched and underground scenesters alike. As an adventurous artist and an experimental designer, Mr. Beene (as his friends called him) helped define modern American fashion in the latter twentieth century. His designs explored the shapes and contortions of the human body using seams, geometry, and even hardware to define and insinuate the shape and scope of nature’s most proud creation. From his infamous zipper dress to the jumpsuit and bolero to his witty design details, bold prints, and contrasts, Mr. Beene’s influence rocked a new generation of designers and the closets of women across the world. Close friend and cultural maverick Kim Hastreiter recounts the life and work of a passionate artist who was as freethinking, original, and antiestablishment as they come.

PICASSO: THE LAST YEARS

PICASSO: THE LAST YEARS
When Pablo Picasso was living in Mougins, on the French Riviera, he asked his friend Mariano Miguel Montanes to come and live with him to help him out as a secretary. From this time on, Miguel became the assistant and confident of the great painter and his wife Jacqueline. Years later, Miguel’s son, Alberto, discovered his father’s diary from this important period. Thanks to this journal, we are able to enter for the first time the day to day life of the most important artist of the 20th century. Picasso’s way of living, working, his friends and habits - the text brings to life the energy, generosity, and true originality of the Great Master. Alberto Miguel Montanes writes the introduction.

SYMBOLS OF JUDAISM

SYMBOLS OF JUDAISM is a beautiful and moving visual record of the ancient traditions that form the cornerstones of Jewish existence. Full-page images of precious religious artefacts such as the Holy Ark and the Sabbath candlesticks, but also holy sites including synagogues and the Mount of Olives, accompany a thought-provoking text by Rabbi Marc-Alain Ouaknin. He provides answers to many fundamental questions about the traditions of Judaism, discussing not only their origins and application today, but also religious holidays and feasts according to the Jewish calendar.

Be My Guest

With fifteen special events captured on film by the celebrated photographer Jessica Craig-Martin, Be my guest is a detailed, original and practical guide to building a successful theme party written by renowned party-giver Rena Sindi. Invitations, table settings, recipes, cocktails, decorations, music—this book will show you how to make your parties unforgettable. The fifteen theme parties in this book can be adapted to two, two hundred or two thousand people.

CHANEL JEWELRY

One of the most visible personalities of her era, Gabrielle Chanel invented a style synonymous with modernity and chic. What is perhaps less well known is that the ‘grand dame’ of 20th century fashion also worked with silver and diamonds to create an exceptional collection of the finest jewelry - a collection that is both classic and contemporary, in keeping with the tradition of one of the great names of the 20th century. In this volume, Chanel’s foray into the world of jewels is told.

VENETIAN LIBRARY

Designed for the most discerning bibliophiles, Assouline’s contemporary library features a fine selection of 139 books, grouped according to collection and series. The sleek, metal and wood structure is hand-crafted in Italy and metal plaques distinguish the feature titles. Three Assouline candles distill the atmosphere of this very special “bibliotheque.”

VENETIAN LIBRARY - $ 30,000.00

CROCODILE LEATHER FOLIO CASE

This CROCODILE LEATHER FOLIO CASE by NANCY GONZALEZ
is priced at $10k on Assouline. Features

- Genuine crocodile leather slipcase
- Lined in red leather
- Edition limited to10 pieces
- Five of Assouline’s folio books:
Last Heroes, Lost Africa, Sculptures of Picasso,
Planets by Thierry Despont and Symbols of Judaism.

PROUST QUESTIONNAIRE

Marcel Proust’s Questionnaire is one of the best-known interview devices used in the media nowadays. Fun, intelligent, and concise, it reveals much of the personality of those questioned.

Assouline Publishing puts forth a facsimile version that contains Marcel Proust’s handwritten replies.

An introduction by Henry-Jean Servat, a long-standing member of the Friends of Marcel Proust Society, provides a historical account of the questionnaire, and a foreword by William C. Carter imparts the significance of Proust today.