AsiaLIFE

The olive green Vespa parked outside the entrance gives a clue to the style sense that awaits inside. Up a narrow flight of stairs, the ambiance grows distinctly continental. "I always loved to sew little things – bags or a table cloth," explains owner, Yoshie Treiber. “I've always loved fabrics, all the different patterns and textures." That attention to detail and love of raw materials is evident throughout the shop. The large, airy interior has tall windows that open onto the street and is decorated with tasteful dark wood cabinets and tables.

Yoshie got her start importing European furniture and antiques to Japan. Her husband worked at an auction house, and she was taken with the beauty of antiques, which sparked an interest in interior design. Two years ago she came here with her husband on holiday, and they were both taken with the attitude of the people. "Everyone smiled, even though they've been through so much." she says. They also recognized that there was opportunity to build their own business here, since it was still developing.

They currently offer mostly house decor, linens and clothes, but their goal is to import furniture from Europe. "There is a lot of beautiful Asian furniture, but not a lot from Europe and that's what we'd like to ultimately bring here." The shop's name and symbol, which adorn some of the linens – French for G Clef, comes from her other passion for playing piano.

This sense of quiet, understated designs is evident in the linens, table cloths, bed sheets and pillows, which use clean, modern lines and subdued palates. Her designs are popular with hotels and restaurants, and convey an understated sophistication. Yoshie believes that creating a sense of beauty and peace in your own home is another way of settling into life here, when we're all so far from the comforts of home.

Her clothing designs are simple and elegant as well, and reflect her personal style. "As a kid I loved American TV shows from the 60's and 70's. The women all wore pretty dresses and heels, even to clean the house!" That timeless elegance is evident in her clothing. The cuts are feminine and tailored but not too revealing. Using mostly cotton and linen, the colors are muted, the designs basic but with a flair, whether it be lace trim or eyelet sleeves on a loose tunic, or a velvet ribbon on the hem of a skirt.

Yoshie also plans to open a sewing workshop for people who would like to create their own pieces. She can teach people to use the three machines she has, or if they already have knowledge her tailors are on hand to help them with the finishing. "I want people to use this like a salon, and a place where they can use my materials to make something that comes from their own heart," she says.  

La Clef de Sol, 75E Street 108, Tel. 092 194 468