Before sitting down with Mónica Fuentes, founder and creative force behind La Mona Crafted, one immediately senses the calm confidence of a woman who creates with intention. Mónica is part artisan, part entrepreneur, and wholly devoted to elevating the handmade into a form of modern artistry. What began as a personal passion for crochet evolved into a brand that celebrates craftsmanship, feminine strength, and the soul behind every stitch. Today, La Mona Crafted stands as a reflection of her vision: a Latin-Mediterranean universe where luxury is slow, personal, and deeply human—where every bag carries not only a story, but the hands and heart of the woman who made it. With that spirit, we delve into a conversation that reveals the purpose, philosophy, and intimate beauty behind the world she has created. Mónica, how did La Mona Crafted begin, and when did you realize your craft could become a brand? “It began with me,” she says with a quiet smile. “I’ve been crocheting since I was a child, and I always looked for handmade accessories that were truly unique, modern, and elegant. When I couldn’t find them, I decided to create them myself.” That first bag—made only for her—immediately caught the attention of women who were searching for exactly the same thing: something genuine, distinctive, and soulful. “That’s when I understood that my talent had a greater purpose: to elevate handmade craft into modern artistry,” she recalls . That intention became the strategic foundation of La Mona Crafted: empowering women through meaningful work and restoring value to the human touch over mass production . Your purpose is deeply tied to a global vision. What do you imagine for the brand in the coming years? “I imagine La Mona Crafted as the most admired Latin-Mediterranean handmade purse brand in the world,” she says without hesitation. Her vision—rooted in warmth, elegance, and contemporary craftsmanship—aims to show that handmade luxury can grow globally without losing its soul. “By 2030, we want to prove that craftsmanship can scale while remaining authentic, traceable, emotional, and deeply human” . Your everyday mission seems very human-centered. How does that translate into your atelier’s daily rhythm? “My mission is both simple and profound: to design handbags that blend traditional techniques with contemporary aesthetics, and to do it alongside women who find independence and purpose in this craft,” she explains. For her, every bag is an emotional bridge. “The woman who creates it and the woman who carries it remain connected forever.” You speak often about La Mona Crafted’s ‘virtuous circle.’ What does it really mean? “The virtuous circle is the soul of the brand,” she says. Everything begins when she discovers a woman with talent or sensitivity for crochet. She trains her, guides her, and helps her build confidence until she recognizes herself as an artisan. “That transformation changes lives,” Mónica explains. Then comes the client—a sophisticated, conscious woman who values authenticity. “When she receives her piece—its scent, the handwritten note, the artisan’s signature—she realizes she didn’t buy an accessory; she bought a story. And that emotional bond creates loyalty, gratitude, and community” . Artisan and wearer empower each other, closing a circle that keeps growing. How is your product portfolio structured to amplify that experience? Under the master brand, three lines coexist: Poppy Classic, the timeless foundation; Poppy Atelier, a space for artistic experimentation; and Poppy Heritage, the pinnacle of emotional luxury, where every piece is co-created with the client and never repeated. “Heritage is legacy: a handbag that exists because a woman imagined it. Not before” . Poppy Heritage feels almost ritualistic. What sets it apart? Mónica lights up when she speaks about it. “It’s made-to-order but also one-of-a-kind. The client chooses colors, textures, and sometimes even includes her name in the design. Then she waits three or four weeks while her piece comes to life. That waiting—that beautiful anticipation—is part of the luxury.” In the Poppy Heritage messaging, waiting becomes emotional value: “You are not waiting for a product; you are waiting for your legacy.” The experience is designed to feel intimate, intentional, and profoundly personal . Your communication style is warm and deeply human. How did you build that voice? “By telling the truth,” she says. The brand speaks with elegance, sincerity, and emotional depth—never cold, never corporate. “We show hands, textures, process. We tell real stories. We celebrate the women who craft and the women who carry our pieces.” This tone comes from the Poppy Heritage 202511.1 communication strategy: humanize craftsmanship, elevate design as artistry, and frame each piece as an emotional experience . Who is the woman that chooses La Mona Crafted? “She is a woman who buys with intention,” Mónica explains. She isn’t trying to impress—she is expressing who she already is. “She values beauty, yes, but she also cares about ethics, sustainability, and longevity. She wants something that represents her and can be passed down.” How do you imagine the brand’s global expansion? She envisions La Mona Crafted reaching cities where design, culture, and handcrafted heritage naturally blend: Madrid, Barcelona, Miami, New York. But she insists: “Growing doesn’t mean producing more. It means protecting the soul.” International expansion will remain rooted in traceability, women-led craftsmanship, and pieces that feel human, emotional, and timeless . Before closing, she reflects on what La Mona Crafted represents at its core: “It’s luxury that connects hands, hearts, and legacy. We turn threads into stories and craftsmanship into an act of love.”