ABOUT ME

Lakia A. Brown, is a dope designer, desktop publisher, and photographer who was born & raised in Philadelphia, PA. Lakia is the Founder and Owner of The Kreative LAB, LLC. Lakia is a full-time wife & mother, with a full-time career.

She was raised by her grandmother and grandfather who instilled in her, the importance of dressing well and preserving assets. Thus, upcycling and sustainability was a must at an early age!

Growing up in a household of nine, Lakia was privy to fashion trends, both old and young. The Clarke household was full of artists and multifaceted teens. Lakia always expressed her love for fashion and the arts, and would hand make eclectic clothes and accessories for herself and peers whenever she could.

In May, 2004, Lakia obtained a Bachelor's of Humanities in Communications, from Penn State University; studying photography, desktop publishing and journalism. Fifteen days following graduation, Lakia married the love of her life, Jesse A. Brown; deeming her L.A.B.

On June 6, 2004, Lakia ventured to the Middle East, to Doha, Qatar with her new husband to work for the United States Army in support of Operating Iraqi Freedom / Operating Enduring Freedom. Lakia later became the Public Affairs Officer for the Installation Commander, covering photography, journalism, media management, and desktop publishing for the entire region. Living in an Islamic country for more than six years without direct access to traditional American clothing and accessories, she became more inclined to “create”.

Living in the Middle East, Lakia saw fashion in a new light - modest yet fashionable. Garments were similar or usually in unison. Trends were repetitive other than shoes and accessories. Most colors were mute, and assigned by gender. Although fashion in the region was one-note, Lakia conceptually grasped the need for individualism, and the thus the significance of  “Standing Out” was solidified. 

A few years later, Lakia founded “Kia's Kreations”, a hobby specializing in custom clothing, accessories, flyers, invitations as well as photography.

In 2008, after giving birth to her first son, Lakia began thoroughly researching the clothing industry and sustainability trends, and stumbled across the concept of "upcycling". Upcycling is an innovative way to repurpose old items and transform them into something new. This concept took her back to her childhood of preserving and fixing garments. Lakia started to view fashion in a different light, which gave her an avenue to not only create unique pieces, but to also repair and use items she already had - aka the rebirth.

In 2014, Kia’s Kreations was morphed into “The Kreative LAB”, which consists of Art, Fashion, and Graphic Design. In 2020, the brand was elevated and registered as an LLC in Pennsylvania. 

At The Kreative LAB, ALL designs are original, handmade, unique or custom - unless it’s our Signature Collection, no two designs are alike.

2020 & Beyond! Follow me in this New Chapter - THE KREATIVE LAB, LLC!