Where it all began…

Pura began with a desire for freedom: to be myself, live by my values and make time for the things I love. Surfing. Moving my body. Being with the people who matter most to me.

I wanted to create something meaningful. Something that would bring joy to others while allowing me to live and work in a way that felt true to who I am.

But the story behind Pura began long before I knew its name.

A childhood full of creativity

My love of fashion started when I was very young—perhaps even before I was born.

My mother and maternal grandmother had a natural gift for creating, whether through painting, sewing, fabrics or the most beautiful handmade pieces. My grandmother’s knitwear was admired all over town. If she were sharing her work today, I’m sure she would have quite a following!

Growing up surrounded by threads, crochet hooks and fabrics, it was almost inevitable that I would fall in love with making things too. I remember my mother’s paintings and evenings spent watching them bring entire outfits to life, from dresses for special occasions to costumes for my dance performances.

When I was five, I received my first sewing machine for Christmas: a beautiful crimson-red model decorated with Snoopy. It had a real needle and actually sewed. To me, it was magic.

Even more wonderfully, it still exists—and still works today.

Finding myself in movement

Alongside fashion, another love took root early: sport.

As a child, I struggled with allergies and respiratory problems, including asthma and bronchitis. Following medical advice, my parents enrolled me in swimming lessons when I was three. Movement became part of my life almost from the beginning.

My father, who also loves sport, encouraged my enthusiasm for competing, and I took swimming seriously for many years, training and competing with different clubs.

I also explored ballet, tap and flamenco, and I still love to dance. But the water was always where I felt happiest and most at home.

Over the years, I tried everything from kitesurfing to triathlon. Eventually, surfing, running and, more recently, yoga became the practices I kept coming back to.

When success started to feel different

My childhood love of fashion eventually led me to study fashion design at university, followed by a career across design, production, costume, styling and consultancy.

There was so much I loved about that life. I built a career I was proud of, lived by a beautiful beach and worked for a major television network. I had friends, adventures and an annual holiday that I often used to travel.

But life moved quickly.

I worked six days a week and lived five hours away from my family. Weekends were a chance to rest, see friends or visit loved ones whenever I could. I still found time for sport, although it had gradually slipped down my list of priorities.

Somewhere along the way, I began to question the rhythm of it all.

My life was full of good things, yet I felt restless. I wanted more space, more purpose and a closer connection between what I believed in and what I spent my days doing.

I kept asking myself: “Is this how I want to live? Where do I want to be in five years? Will the next step in my career bring me closer to a life that makes me happy?”

I didn’t have the answers yet. But I knew I needed to make room to find them.

Making space for something new

In 2019, I left my job, my familiar surroundings and my home country to travel.

Leaving the people I loved was difficult, but I felt drawn to explore—to find inspiration, learn from other ways of living and understand myself a little better.

What followed was a time of discovery, challenges, growth and plenty of joy. I met wonderful people, experienced places that changed my perspective and collected stories I look forward to sharing here.

Slowly, the idea of Pura began to take shape.

Three years into that journey, I brought together my experience in fashion, my love of movement and the values I wanted to build my life around.

One idea, one lesson and one small step at a time, Pura became real.

Welcome to Pura

In Bali, a Pura is a Hindu temple. The name felt right for a brand inspired by finding a deeper connection with ourselves, and by Indonesia—a place that holds a special place in my heart.

Pura brings together swimwear and activewear with expressive colours, comfortable fabrics and the freedom to move. Our pieces are made in Indonesia by women whose skill and care help bring my designs to life.

My aim is to make thoughtful choices about materials and production as the brand grows, guided by the values that inspired it from the beginning.

For me, Pura is also about self-acceptance, self-love and making room for happiness. Feeling comfortable in your own skin. Following what moves you. Giving yourself permission to live in a way that feels like you.

I hope Pura inspires you to explore what makes you feel most yourself—and to make a little more room for it in your life.

Lots of love,Renata