In a city known for its coastal charm and creative pulse, Abadir Santa Barbara is quietly reshaping how fashion and sustainability can coexist.
Behind the brand is Kendra Sabino, a visionary who has turned discarded fabrics into something far more meaningful: functional art with purpose and community at its core.
Sabino’s journey toward sustainable design began with a moment of realization. While watching The Oprah Winfrey Show, she heard environmentalist Annie Leonard share a simple but profound truth: “There is no such thing as away. When you throw something away, it must go somewhere.”
The words lingered. As a mother and lifelong nature lover, Sabino began looking more closely at how her family consumed, reused and discarded.
That spark of awareness became the foundation for what would eventually grow into Abadir.
Before founding the brand, Sabino followed a very different career path. A Southern California native, she earned her degree from UC Davis and an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management.
She spent years in pharmaceutical marketing before her focus shifted toward environmental entrepreneurship, a change influenced by a beloved friend and science teacher at her children’s school.
This teacher did not talk about sustainability in theory; she lived it. Through her quiet example, she showed that small, consistent actions could make a difference without judgment or pressure.
The supersized Bella bag is a reversible carryall for sports, beach days, weekend trips — or diaper duty. It can even be flipped for bold color or an understated look. Credit: Abadir photo 
The GOATT — Greatest of All Time Tote — packs leather-reinforced straps and base, multiple pockets and an internal key clip. Credit: Abadir photo 
Abadir founder Kendra Sabino believes that true sustainability means designing products that last. Credit: Abadir photo 
Abadir totes are ideal for pickleball gear — and a whole lot more. Credit: Abadir photo
That same spirit of gentle, practical change defines Abadir. The brand began modestly when Sabino started repurposing upholstery remnants from an ADU project at her home.
What started as a creative experiment soon caught the attention of local designers, many of them friends, who offered their unused high-end fabric scraps.
Fabricators joined in, too, donating bold, textured materials that would inspire Abadir’s earliest pieces, including the GOATT tote and Bella Bag.
What emerged was not just a brand but a community effort built on creativity, sustainability and collaboration.
Abadir’s mission is simple yet powerful: create pieces that are as enduring as they are beautiful.
Sabino realized early on that true sustainability means designing products that last. Today, she complements the repurposed fabrics with quality zippers, hardware and leather so that each piece can stand up to daily life.
She even tests new designs alongside her 24-year-old daughter, ensuring each bag feels as functional as it looks.
Among Abadir’s most thoughtful creations is The Gifted, a reusable heirloom gift bag released during the holidays.
“Sustainability isn’t all or nothing. It’s about moving the ball forward, one conscious choice at a time.”
Kendra Sabino
The concept came from her daughter’s college assignment in oceanography, which challenged students to find ways to reduce waste. Each bag includes a small card for noting names and dates as it is passed along, turning the tradition of gift-giving into a shared legacy.
The Sabino family even celebrated their first trash-free Christmas last year, a milestone that reflects the heart of Abadir’s mission.
The name Abadir carries deep personal meaning. It honors Sabino’s grandmother, Tafida Abadir, a resilient woman who raised five children in Egypt and helped her son immigrate to the United States.
Her strength and determination are woven into every aspect of the brand.
Today, Abadir stands as a reflection of Santa Barbara’s creative spirit and commitment to sustainability.
Sabino describes her work not as a pursuit of perfection but as an ongoing journey.
“Sustainability isn’t all or nothing,” she said. “It’s about moving the ball forward, one conscious choice at a time.”
