Woven From Experience: Maria Knight’s Journey to Pura Cashmere
Some people discover their calling. For Maria Knight, it began in the quiet hum of her mother’s sewing machine.
Raised in Spain, Maria spent her childhood in the atelier of one of the country’s most respected fashion houses. Her mother, a skilled seamstress and tailoring instructor, passed down more than technique—she passed down a deep respect for fabric, form, and how clothing shapes the way we move through the world. Early on, Maria learned that style wasn’t about excess. It was about quality, intention, and the feeling of something made just right.
In her teens and early twenties, Maria stepped briefly in front of the camera, working with luxury fashion houses in Europe and abroad. The garments she modeled were undeniably beautiful—high-quality in both construction and material—but the fit was exacting, tailored to an idealized standard. Maria was fortunate to have the body type that suited those pieces, but she began to notice something: on most women, those same garments didn’t land the same way. The industry’s version of “perfect” wasn’t built for everyone.
That realization became even clearer during her two-decade career as a personal stylist in Los Angeles. Maria worked closely with women of all ages, professions, and body types. What they needed was clear: fewer pieces, better made, and designed to work across the many facets of real life. Too often, she watched clients settle for oversized knits, unflattering cuts, or beautiful clothing that lacked practicality. And when something did work, it was often out of reach price-wise.
By 2019, she had quietly begun building what would become Pura Cashmere.
Drawing on everything she had learned, from the atelier to the fitting room, Maria began sketching pieces that bridged the gap between refinement and everyday wearability. Each silhouette was designed with purpose, using premium materials and crafted to feel effortless on the body. Knitwear came first, but the collection soon expanded to include versatile shirts and other wardrobe foundations—each piece made to wear well and wear often.
Pura wasn’t created in a flash. It evolved from years of listening, adjusting, and recognizing what was missing in the market. Maria focused on thoughtful sourcing, partnering with herders in Mongolia and mills across Europe. Where possible, she prioritized ethical and environmentally conscious practices, investing in relationships that honored craftsmanship and sustainability alike.
Today, the Pura collection is built to be lived in. These are pieces you can wear to the office, out for dinner, or on a casual weekend—essentials with quiet polish and just enough modern edge. Tasteful color updates and fashion-forward details add freshness without sacrificing longevity.
What started as a personal vision has grown into a refined, seasonless wardrobe designed to deliver on both comfort and quality. The designs are clean, the fit is intentional, and the mission is clear: to create clothes that help women feel grounded, confident, and genuinely themselves.
Because great style should never ask you to choose between feeling good and looking good.