About The Owner
Joanne LaMantia is the owner, creater, designer and producer of Krave. Joanne never believed she would one day be designing handbags. After graduating with a degree in English, she began a career in corporate training and public speaking. When she became a mother of two, she decided to exchange her Vice-Presidency for that of a full-time mother. Joanne has no formal training in fashion and design, just a childhood filled with creative experiences from a mother who was always trying new things -- sewing the latest fashions, knitting sweaters, refinishing furniture, decoupage, baking, cooking and decorating. In no time, Joanne was experimenting with her own creations, making Barbie couches covered in fabric, knitting nordic sweaters, painting ceramics, decorating her own bedroom over and over again and whatever else she came upon. Later as a stay-at-home mom, Joanne began to unleash her creativity again and dabbled in painting flower pots, sewing pillows and painting her own artwork.
The Beginning
It wasn't until her cousin was in for a visit from Seattle that Joanne uncovered her true calling. When her cousin arrived, she had a purse flung over her shoulder that was made out of a placemat. This intrigued Joanne and she decided to make one for herself. It was so successful she made 25 others and sold them at a friend's open house. Wanting to see what else she could create, she sewed another bag. This time, she made a pattern out of paper and found an unusually, beautiful upholstery fabric. When a woman stopped her in the grocery store and asked where she got the bag, she experienced her aha moment and Krave was born. Krave has evolved since its inception in 2007, offering many unique designs and styles, as well as custom orders.
Do What You Love and Love What You Do
All Krave's creations are a result of Joanne's passion for design as well as her intense focus on craft which ensures that all Krave products are durable, unique, stylish and fun. She also loves the idea of salvaging remnants, buttons and trims that would otherwise be thrown out and creating something new that is both stylish and unique and good for the enviroment. Joanne loves to take a swatch of fabric and transform itinto something original. The process is truly energizing. She loves to incorporate flowers and has made a way for them to bloom in her signature, one-of-a-kind bouquet bags. She makes all the flowers by hand by using remnants and trims. Joanne creates all her bags from her home, in which she shares with her husband and two sons.
