Agnes Baddoo’s journey into design is a testament to her deep appreciation for craftsmanship, simplicity, and timeless style. With a background in fashion styling and costuming, she draws inspiration from the world around her, creating leather goods that blend form and function with effortless elegance. Made in small batches by skilled artisans in Los Angeles, each piece reflects a commitment to quality, resourcefulness, and an enduring aesthetic that transcends trends.
A Q&A WITH Agnes Baddoo
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and why you started Agnes Baddoo?
I was always into art and photography and supporting small independent businesses growing up and thankfully get to infuse that love in everything I do today. I started out as a fashion editor/fashion stylist. Getting into the fashion industry was a means to travel, meet independent, destination artisans, explore, see the world. After many years, at a certain point, I grew tired of every decision (creative or otherwise) being made by consensus, it was time to move on. I had a leather bag that belonged to my mother but I never liked the proportion so I reconfigured the scale till I landed on something that worked for me. Form and Function and Style. Made 10, sold them at the Echo Park Craft Fair, then one friend told two friends and the rest…
How does the natural world support your modern life?
Nature is life, it is everything. Loving, living, eating, being in harmony with nature is the be all. Using and making products that are from and can return to nature is definitely part of my personal and brand ethos.
Do you have a consistent daily AM and/or PM routine? What are they?
I like a routine -as long as it's luxurious! I have a few brands I love whose products I rotate depending on time of day, season, time, etc. The below is what I like to do when I have time and access to everything ;)
AM: Wake up, simple, gentle stretch as I get out of bed: reach up, reach out, gentle twist, some foot flexes, touch my toes, etc.
Then, tongue scrape, teeth brushing (Svadanta HighCalcium Ayurvedic Toothpaste - Organic Fennel), face dry brush, followed by wash (Moon Juice Cleanser or Shiva Rose Blue Butter Cleansing depending on the season).
Then hot water/lemon, my supplements, followed by fruit (right now, its a rotation of papaya + pineapple or oro blanco grapefruits because they're still in season and I love them so!
I keep an ongoing pot of fresh ginger, turmeric and pineapple skin and I’ll have warm cups of that throughout the day.
Shower: dry brush body, Moon Juice Cleanser, followed by head to toe face and body routines: Shiva Rose Hair Oil, Moon Juice Plump Jelly/ Cosmic Creme, Shiva Rose Phyto Retinol, At this time, I might do a quick guasha or facial massage with the pointy roller inspired by whatever Julie Civiello Polier post deals with some area I’m dealing with. Body lotion is a desert island non-negotiable, I love Nucifera balm and oil and Osea Anti-Aging Body Balm.
Seems like a lot but all this takes no more than 5 to 10 minutes. I just love wholesome, luxurious products, rituals and routines; doing them with intention brings me a great sense of well being.
PM: I like warm water (lemon, ginger, turmeric, etc) and or Moon Juice Sleepytime MagnesiOM as a hot toddy before bed.
Are there any particular foods or botanicals that align with your personal self-care practice?
Things you will always find in my home and/or my dopp kit:
- Lemon, (Priscilla Woolworth recently turned me on to the healing wonders of Bergamot Citrus so I’ve been stocking up while they're still available and freezing the juice in cubes for future use)
- Fresh Ginger
- Fresh Turmeric
- Oil of Oregano
- Colloidal Silver
- Baking Soda (by the gallon, soak, exfoliate, or internally when under the weather)
- Real Salt
- Nordic Salt
- Shea Butter
- Coconut Oil
- Castor Oil ( I L O V E Queen of Thrones Rose Quartz roller bottle)
- Alexis Smart First Aid remedy
- Helios Homeopathic Travel Box inside my Alexis Smart Dopp Kit
- The Fullest Saffron Strands of Sunshine
- Moon Juice Super You (non-negotiable)
What are your favorite brands on Baile?
The Baile curation and I are so aligned! So many brands I love and use can be found there:
- The Fullest Saffron Threads (a day-oner!)
- Kinder Thoughts
- ION Gut Support
- Everything Living Libations
- Nucifera Essentials
- Moon Canyon Healing Herbal Toner
Some things I look forward to trying:
- VitaClay Organic 4-in-1 Rice & Slow Cooker
- SomaVEDIC
- HealthyLine - Amethyst Bolster
- Surya’s Black Lava Salt + Black Sesame
- Shepherd's Dream Ashland Organic Wool Topper
- Everything Wol-Hide!
Photo by Anais Wade
What inspires your approach to designing pieces, and how do you make sure that each piece stays true to Agnes Baddoo’s vision?
Most importantly: function, form, need and limitations. I am my first customer and my inspirations come from necessity rather than external trends. I make things I need (Sac 1a tote,Sac 2, a larger tote/weekender, then something handsfree: a crossbody or belt sac, something for the market, beach or tailgate, a larger crossbody/messenger, placemats, etc), in a practical, yet identifiable style. Limitations (certain leathers or natural leather-alternatives, almost never hardware, for example) help to insure each piece stays true to the AB vision of sustainable, natural, form and functional design.
Photo by Maureen Evans
Agnes Baddoo’s designs embody simplicity, function, and timeless craftsmanship. Her carefully curated pieces bring beauty and purpose to everyday life. Shop the Market Sac now.
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