Bae Designs by Rhuelle Cadogan
By Cherisse Moe, HER Magazine
Some people are born with natural creative talent, and Rhuelle Cadogan happens to be one of the lucky ones. In two short years, she’s managed to carve her own niche and stamp her signature style on the local fashion world with her beauty brand, Bae Designs, which she describes in three words: funky, bold and unique.
Offering a variety of eye-catching fashion accessories and bags, Bae caters to the confident woman and those who are “sure in who they are,’ she tells HER.
“I visualise the woman, whether young or old, who’s not afraid to rock big, bold and bright accessories; walking tall into a room, feeling and acting their best, sophisticated selves.’
Depending on the intricacy of the design, Cadogan can take anywhere from two to seven days to go from sketch to the finishing touch. Her fashion pieces are made from wood, acrylic paint and epoxy resin. And her bestsellers are currently her Bae bangles and earring sets and her jumbo Bae bags.
Born and raised in Tobago, Cadogan’s love for accessory design began in 2008 at an art and craft expo hosted by the Tobago House of Assembly during the July/August vacation.
At the time, she was a business management undergrad at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill campus, in Barbados, and had returned home during the school break.
She was given the opportunity to be one of the expo’s volunteers and took a keen interest in the jewelry design class. There, she learned basic design techniques and quickly got the hang of things – so much so, she began assisting other participants with their own designs.
After earning her degree, Cadogan, who’s originally from Speyside, returned to her Sou Sou Lands home but couldn’t get a job. “So instead of allowing my hands to remain idle, I decided to rekindle the passion for accessory design by designing and selling fashionable accessories,’ she recalls, noting that she made earrings, bags, hats and sandals, all using wool.
“I’ve always loved standing out from the crowd and creating unique pieces that were different from everyone else’s.
My highlight of that business at the time was that my products were featured in an art exhibition at the Port of Spain museum.’
Cadogan moved to Trinidad in 2016 when she got married and became a freelance hairstylist and make-up artist. A couple years prior, she had been back
and forth between the two islands to attend the Pivot Point International School of Cosmetology and Aesthetics in Port of Spain. “In 2020, I decided to run with the idea of reselling retail natural hair wooden earrings in my studio, as well as creating an online fashion store.’
One week after she launched Bae Designs, Covid happened, forcing a total lockdown, everywhere. Left with a lot of time on her hands, Cadogan spent most of it binging YouTube drawing and painting videos and fine-tuning her natural creative skills. “Today, people look at my designs and marvel when I tell them that before 2020, I had no official drawing or painting skills whatsoever,’ says the designer, who recently launched Baeby Signs, featuring wooden sign language accessories, inspired by her hearing-impaired husband and two-and-ahalf- year-old daughter, Destiny.
“I can remember as a child when I was bored, I would sit outside with my sketchpad and draw my neighbours’ houses. I always wanted to be an architect, but I was introduced to hairdressing at the age of eight and art then took on a new form of expression for me through cosmetology.
“Now, I have the opportunity to express my drawing passion through accessory design. My inspiration comes from fulfilling my purpose. I desire to serve others with every gift within me. Each product is designed to bring joy and happiness, not only in receiving the item but when wearing it, must give them a sense of beauty and confidence,” Cadogan shares. “I credit my artistic background to both my parents who were always engaged in a lot of community classes, including baking, cooking, sewing and decor, among other things.
My mom, in particular, after learning these skills, would create several craft items as decor pieces for our home. She also became the personal seamstress and stylist for the entire family.
“So, from a tender age, my sisters and I were always exposed to learning new skills and were encouraged to pursue whatever passion our hearts desired. My entrepreneurial mind was moulded and I was never afraid to explore new opportunities, take risks and be resourceful. For this reason, I dedicated my newest signature wooden purse, “The Elaine’, as an ode to my mom as a legacy.
She passed away in June 2019.’
