It’s impossible to pin down just one place where Sachi Uyei’s eclectic collection of tops, accessories and gifts comes from. At her Los Altos outlet, Aska Clothing, Uyei showcases shirts, scarves, shoes, jewelry, decor and more inspired by cultures throughout Asia and Europe.
“I needed a window when I started out. Now the artists have one here,” she said of her outlet in downtown Los Altos, which serves as a gallery for several artists and designers.
Like Lekha Srinivasan, Ms. Uyei sought inspiration from her native country, Japan, when she started seven years ago in Palo Alto. Using old kimono fabric she found in San Francisco, Ms. Uyei began designing shirts and dresses tailored to American tastes.
To this day, she said, she uses her instinct to test what works with her customers who followed her when she moved to Los Altos. “I found that if I use unique textile, they love it,” she said.
The Aska clothing line primarily uses woven silk, georgette, parachute material and polyester. This variety of fabrics is used to fashion scarves, shirts, jackets, shoes, and satchels.
Visitors should be prepared for exquisite little surprises squeezed tightly among shelves and corners all over the outlet, such as hand-woven eyeglass cases next to batik room dividers.
Ms. Uyei said she considers each piece a work of art. Pure silk organza mix shirts in rich shades of orange, turquoise and purple start at $50, while dress shirts using kimono fabric start at $150. The most expensive item at Aska is a $450 silk kimono jacket.
Having access to a multitude of fabrics in the San Francisco market, Ms. Uyei said Aska Clothing now houses items made of cloth from Japan, China, Indonesia, India, Portugal, Poland and Germany. All material has to pass a stringent hand wash test before it can be used, she said. That diversity is set to increase with the upcoming Annual Spring Artists Gathering on April 24 and 25 to be held at Aska Clothing.
Aska Clothing is at 164 Main St. in Los Altos. For information, call the store at 559-1937 or go to www.askaclothing.com.
— Zunaira Durrani
YouTube 'auditor' provoked, pepper-sprayed shopper at Mountain View Costco, police sayApril 8, 2026 12:23 pm
