We were lucky to catch up with Anthony Badami recently and have shared our conversation below.

Anthony, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

Back in 2022, I finally lived out my childhood dream of visiting Italy, my ancestral land. The sights, sounds, tastes, and smells were like nothing I’d ever experienced before—yet strangely familiar and soothing. I was home. When I returned to Los Angeles, I wanted to keep that magic alive in my daily routine. But how to capture that exact feeling? In 2023, Curativo was born with one mission: to curate that unforgettable sensation, bottle it, and share it with the world.

I wanted an Italian word that was easy for Americans and others abroad to pronounce and understand. After much thought and consideration, Curativo topped my list. Not only does Curativo sound cool and sexy, but it also means “to curate” or “to heal” in both Spanish and Italian. Each product reflects my dual heritage, blending Italian and English.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Anthony Badami is an Italian-American designer who has made his mark in the apparel design industry for over 16 years. His diverse portfolio spans both activewear and luxury industries, covering every stage from concept to production.

His grandfather was more than just a mentor; he was the one who ignited Anthony’s passion for leathercraft. At the young age of 13, he learned the meticulous attention to detail, love, and focus required to create something of true quality and beauty. Over the years, Anthony combined his love for comics, modern architecture, and post-apocalyptic imagery to craft one-of-a-kind pieces that elevate any style. His grandfather’s legacy lives on through his work, as he continues to design exceptional essentials including all-natural Apothecary skincare line, Curativo where he created a modern, sleek line that exudes his love for Italy and the craftsmanship of Italians

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of my first planned products was a shaving bar. My partner Brea created a phenomenal blend of all-natural, organic ingredients, including Kokum and Cocoa butters, Coconut, Tamanu, Rosemary oils, and Kaolin clay. The mixture produced a rich lather and provided the closest, smoothest shave I had ever experienced. Plus, it could also double as an aftershave balm to soothe the skin. However, we encountered one issue: we couldn’t get the bar hard enough to be a shaving “bar.”

We had committed to using only the purest ingredients and keeping the list under 15 items for each product. To this day, we haven’t launched it because it didn’t align with our values and mission — Solo il meglio (only the best).

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

We design and manufacture all of our products here in Long Beach, California. My perfumer hand-blends each scent, crafting each product from the freshest and most natural ingredients available—some sourced directly from Sicily. Currently, we make each small-batch production in her kitchen to ensure the highest quality possible.

We believe scent plays a crucial role in a self-care routine. At CURATIVO, we’ve carefully curated fragrances that not only enhance your self-care experience but also transport you to a magical place. Each scent complements the others as you explore, creating a seamless and immersive journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://badamiandco.com/pages/curativo
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curativoapothecary
• Other: https://www.threads.net/@badamiandco

Image Credits

Pavel Oshen Denisenko
@paveloshendenisenko

James Barton
@james.has.friends