In Their Element herringbone sage
Mihyon Ahn built herringbone sage around a feeling she could not ignore: a deep admiration for Italian craftsmanship and the quiet confidence it gives the person who wears it. She wanted to create a place where men could step into that world, where the elegance she associates with Italy felt present, lived in, and personal. The store grew from her belief that clothing should carry intention rather than noise, and that refinement comes from the hand behind the work as much as the fabric itself.
For her, the atmosphere of herringbone sage is as important as the pieces it carries. She describes it as timeless and warm, shaped by textures that recall fine Italian tailoring and a moment in time when quality was understood without explanation. That sensibility appears the moment someone walks through the door. She hopes visitors feel hospitality first, a sense of being welcomed into a space that is curated with care but never rushed or showy. The store is intimate, elegant, and shaped by details meant to be felt before they are noticed.
The idea of timelessness guides every choice she makes. Nothing enters the store unless it can slow the pace of fashion down, resisting trends in favor of craftsmanship that holds its place season after season. She looks for pieces with weight, not literal heaviness, but the kind of presence that comes from thoughtful construction and materials that age well. For Mihyon, Italian tailoring expresses that idea best: hand stitching, natural drape, and fabrics that develop character over time. They do not demand attention; they reward it.
Ploumanac’h fit naturally into this world from the moment she encountered the line at the Chicago Collective. Its restraint, refinement, and clarity matched the standards she sets for herringbone sage. What stood out to her was the craft behind it, especially the hand applied ombre spray technique that gives depth and movement to the knitwear. She sees it not just as clothing but as a form of wearable art, built with intention yet easy in spirit. Once customers wear Ploumanac’h, she believes they notice how naturally it carries itself throughout the day, offering an effortless sort of polish.
Issaquah is far from the heritage of Italian fashion, yet its environment has helped her sharpen her sense of what feels authentic and lasting. The rhythm of the town is warm and neighborly, shaped by local shops and familiar faces greeting each other. That atmosphere mirrors the way she wants the store to function, a place rooted in community even as it presents something distinctly European in its sensibility. The thoughtful pace of the neighborhood encourages her to focus on detail, refinement, and sincerity in both design and service.
Places around town have become quiet extensions of the store. Local cafés, small businesses, and corners where the routines of everyday life feel grounded and attentive. She values that rhythm, the steady and unforced flow of a community that appreciates quality without needing it defined. It aligns naturally with the men’s wardrobe she curates, pieces built to support real life with understated elegance.
Photo Note
The photo were taken showing the Ploumanac’h Gills Tasty Shades sweater in 100 percent extra fine merino. The subtle gradient and refined texture reflect exactly what Mihyon looks for, craftsmanship with quiet personality executed with care.
Discover Ploumanac’h at herringbone sage in Issaquah.
herringbonesage.com | Instagram: @herringbonesage
