Culture Lounge by ASSOULINE

“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 memories, explain how where we come from changes the way we appreciate wine, and predict what’s next for the wine industry. 

2:16 - How to pair wine with food

3:22 - Finding emotion in wine

5:08 - Creating special moments for guests with the right wine

6:08 - Sébastien’s most memorable day as a sommelier

10:40 - The first time Enrico realized his talent for recognizing aromas

12:05 - Training your palette

13:24 - Where we come from changes the way we appreciate wine

15:05 - The challenge of Vin Jaune and skin-contact wines

17:34 - Current wine trends and what might come next

22:00 - How food and wine have changed over the past few decades

22:57 - Sommeliers never stop learning 

Stick around until the end for a fun bit of trivia about how monks and the British influenced the origins of champagne.

For more inspiration and a video version of this chapter, head to Assouline.com, where culture meets luxury.

À bientôt!

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“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 The Met’s The Atelier series, Alina Cho. Linda and Alina share their gateways into the fashion world, reminisce about legendary fashion photographer Bill Cunningham, transport us to memorable runway shows from Chanel, Dior, and Dries, and describe their favorite looks they’ve ever worn.

2:17 – Creating theater with window displays

7:22 – The impact of Olivia Newton John’s biker jacket in Grease

8:19 – Bringing fashion into the newsroom

11:42 – Most memorable fashion shows

14:03 – Fashion week car-pooling

15:26 – Memories of Bill Cunningham

17:46 – Buzzworthy designers of the moment

19:57 – Personal fashion memories at the Met Gala and the CFDA Awards

Designers mentioned in this episode include Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Dries Van Noten, Tom Ford, Alexander McQueen, Karl Lagerfeld, Raf Simons, Phoebe Philo, Daniel Roseberry, Elsa Schiaparelli, Thom Browne, and Vivienne Westwood. 

Stick around until the end for a fun bit of trivia about what Coco Chanel found success doing before becoming a couturier.

For more inspiration and a video version of this chapter, head to Assouline.com, where culture meets luxury.

À bientôt!

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“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 dirty word in watch collecting circles, and discuss how watches don’t just tell time, they bring people together. 

1:37 – Timepiece show-and-tell

2:10 – First obsessions

5:09 – Passion vs. investment

7:37 – Inside the auction room

13:31 – Industry education, from forums to social media

14:53 – Holy Grail watches

21:15 – The next trends in collecting

22:39 – Connecting with people from around the world, like @oldwatchlady

Watches featured in this episode include Les Folies du Ciel by Hermès, Patek Philippe Calatrava Reference 96 in steel from 1941, Rolex GMT-Master Reference 1675, a, 6263 vintage Paul Newman Dial Daytona, a bamboo Cartier Coussin, and a Rolex 5508 from 1958. 

Stick around until the end for a fun bit of trivia about how Cartier and the Wright brothers were part of the advent of the wristwatch.

For more inspiration and a video version of this chapter, head to Assouline.com, where culture meets luxury.

À bientôt!

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“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 memories, explain how they ended up wearing life jackets as knickers in Tulum, and share tips on curating the perfect holiday.

1:51 – An out-of-body experience in Tulum, Mexico

6:32 – Childhood memories from the French Riviera 

9:46 – The importance of a proper adventure

12:03 – Traveling to Ethiopia, the DRC, and Turkey with Save The Children

13:18 – From the mouth of the river to Borneo

15:33 – Why you should always say “yes” to travel

16:28 – Finding magic in St. Tropez and Ibiza

18:36 – A secret Greek island 

21:30 – Butterflies and anticipation in NYC

25:07 – Tips on curating the perfect vacation

27:30 – Where to next?

If you want to plan a trip as perfect as the ones Poppy and Melinda mentioned in this episode, try Abercrombie & Kent or Triptych Travel.

Stick around until the end for a fun bit of trivia about what the ancient Greeks called Ibiza and Formentera, and how that inspired one of our candle scents.

For more inspiration and a video version of this chapter, head to Assouline.com, where culture meets luxury.

À bientôt!

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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 world, through a new and exciting medium.

In 8 short chapters curated by Alex Assouline, you’ll find inspiration, passion, and hopefully knowledge of something new. The first episode premieres September 20th.

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