Meet Sofia Badaoui | Designer & artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sofia Badaoui and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sofia, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I like to think that authenticity is behind the success of Calikesh. I didn’t discover the inspiration for my art while travelling or searching online. Calikesh is my life. Some of my earliest memories come from moments with my family in Marrakesh, breaking bread, drinking tea. It’s been a blessing to have Moroccan heritage woven into the fabric of who I am. Life isn’t always easy for those living in Northern Africa, especially for women. I’m proud that Calikesh works directly with a collective of women weavers and that I am able to contribute directly to their wellbeing and the preservation of Moroccan artisans who are threatened daily by mechanical manufacturing and middle men who gauge them for profit and sell their works to the highest bidders.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is ever evolving. My journey as an artist started off by designing edible art toys. Soon after came making stickers and distributing them to my friends. The next step was street art. I’d use stencils and spray paint to add my designs and early logo to streets and walls in Nantes, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Berlin, Barcelona and beyond. I then unlocked my passion for street wear and started to design clothes.

The initial concept of Calikesh was to create traditional Moroccan clothing mixed with California street style. This is something that I still do and am highly passionate about, but that I haven’t been exhibiting recently. This long path lead me to the dream of creating my own moroccan rugs. With the help of my family I was introduced to my weavers and the rest is history.

If anything can be learned from this, its never to limits yourself and always pursue you artistic desires.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Joshua Tree area itinerary by Sofia Badaoui aka Calikesh :
Wake up early to watch the sunrise, have breakfast at C&S. Take a walk inside Joshua Tree National Park : Hidden Valley. Go check out my favorite local art gallery/boutique “Hey There Projects”. Head to Yucca Valley to “The End”. Have a snack at “Red Dog saloon” and go down the hill for a quick stop in Palm Springs at “Benjamin Perdereau” then watch the sunset by the pool at “The Ace Hotel & Swim Club”.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
To Anne and Rachid , my parents, for raising me bicultural and to never limit my dreams.

To Julie Machado and FriendsWithYou for accepting my internship fresh out of Design school, which allowed me to discover the Art world of California.

To my incredible team of weavers working hand to hand with me. Choukran!

To my spouse who always believe and support all of my creative ideas and projects.

Website: https://www.calikesh.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calikeshcouz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/calikesh-100063542201833/

Image Credits
Calikesh