About Mantéllo

The Founder & Creative Direction

Long before The Mantéllo Brand existed, its founder imagined a future in fashion. As a young girl, she often spoke of becoming a fashion designer, drawn to the expressive possibilities of clothing and accessories. Her fascination with handbags began early, spending time in her mother's closet exploring her collection of Coach bags and discovering how a single accessory could transform an entire look.

Years later, that childhood interest would take on a life of its own.

Founded as her third business venture, Mantéllo became a dedicated space for her appreciation of handbags and the creative possibilities within their design. What began as an early interest in fashion has developed into an ongoing exploration of craftsmanship, art, and independent design.

Outside of her work with Mantéllo, her academic journey in psychology has introduced another dimension to the way she considers people and creative expression. Her interests in human behavior, identity, and perception exist alongside her artistic practice, offering a different perspective on the relationship between what we create, how we experience it, and the meaning we assign to the things around us.

She considers herself both an artist and a designer, though neither title fully defines her creative practice. Her work extends across clothing, textiles, handbags, and other forms of object-making. Rather than limiting herself to a particular medium, she finds freedom in the process of learning, experimenting, and developing whatever a vision requires.

For her, the distinction has never been about choosing one title. It has always been about having the freedom to create.

"The Classic Collection" Creator Niquanna Smith