Makié Clothier on Thompson Street

I first discovered Makié Clothier eight years ago when I was pregnant with my first child. Browsing the streets of SoHo, I came across a tiny store on Thompson Street with the most inspired baby clothes I had ever seen. Instead of the cloying fare in baby stores those days, here were classics cuts of cotton, linen, and wool in sophisticated hues: charcoal, mocha, indigo, and the palest of pinks. It was as if founder Makié Yahagi had heard my prayers. But really she was following a dream of her own–a seamstress’s daughter from Sapporo, Japan, she always aspired to create a children’s clothing line. 

Since then I have been a devotee of Makié’s. Often during my visits, I wished that she would make women’s clothes as well. Makié heard me (and many others), and she did. Then I started to hope that she’d apply her eye to housewares. Well, fortune favors the patient. Much like her fashions, Makié’s goods for the home are beautifully made (by her and by small companies she admires) and have a clean, pared-down style that feels timeless.

Above: Most of the clothing and housewares at Makié, such as this handwoven Khadi and Co. Quilt, are handmade using traditional techniques; $600. 

Above: Several of us at Remodelista added these steel-coated copper pots with hand hammered bottoms to our “For Me” Pin Boards. The Copper Pan Hammered Bottom comes in small, medium and large; $150 to $350.

Makié favors natural colors and interesting textures for the home. Above L and R: A Tampico Stone Washed Pochette, $45: an Auntie Oti throw in white, $450; an Auntie Oti Throw in White with Blue Stripe, $58; and a Sophie Digard Raphia Tote Bag in Natural, $385.

Above: Made in Belgium, these porcelain White Cups can be used as tea lights or for small snacks and sips. Available in small, medium and large, they’re $12 to $16 each.

Above: In matte-finished zinc with polished nickel touches, the Berkeley Desk Lamp is both industrial and earthy; $220.

Above: Available in white and gray, Uchino Waffle Bath Towels are made in Japan from 100-percent cotton; $60.

Above L and R: Makié’s own collection is made in the US from fabrics that she sources all over the world. Here, some classic women’s styles paired with my favorite silver sandals by Italian shoemakers PePe (see Editor’s Picks: 10 Metallic Sandals for Spring).

Above: These Glasses are made using “a Japanese special glass-making technique”; $12 each.

Above: Japanese indigo is heavily featured at Makié in her own designs and in these Dosa scarves.

Above: Though Makié likes to keep her clothing effortless and classic, she often gets playful with accessories. Makié’s women’s and children’s lines both offer an array of carefree extras, including hats, scarves, bags, jewelry, shoes, bibs, and a few toys. I challenge you not to get lost in this section on the shop’s website.

Above: Made in Belgium, these white plates show Makié’s penchant for wabi sabi style; $25 each.

From India, zinc-framed mirrors hang from colorful string. Above L: The Mirror with Zinc Frame, Medium; $60. Above R: The Mirror with Zinc Frame, Large; $75.

Makié is located at 109 Thompson St. in SoHo, New York City.

N.B. Have a look at Japanese Classics via New York to browse former Takashima buyer Asako Ueno’s online shop. On Gardenista, see how to apply Japanese style to cut flowers in 10 Easy Pieces, Ikebana Vases.