Manhattan Knights | Pietra

Manhattan Knights is a luxury sportswear brand founded by up-and-coming Designer, Samuel Murkofsky. Having both dabbled in screen printing and customizing vintage tees, the brand reemerged in 2015 as a satire on the growing streetwear trend. The “Cease and Desist”, as it was coined, had its first break out in pop culture when it was caught on Pop Music sensation, Madonna. Madge has since been seen sporting the brand in the airport and was even photographed wearing it while she wrote, recorded and produced her most recent album, Madame X. His Cease and Desist line has since been requested and sent to major recording artists including Post Malone and Halsey. As well as seen on celebrities such as Amber Rose, Nico Tortorella and Carole Radziwell. The collection also garnered the attention of New York Times Fashion, Elle, InStyle among others. The name Manhattan Knights, in fact, was conceived in the days and weeks following 9/11 to express the growing pride he had in being a native New Yorker. The sense of connection and togetherness that surpassed any divide of race, class, gender or culture is the core of what it means to be a New Yorker. Sam set out to create cut and sew collections that are shaped by his experiences growing up in New York. Using his ten plus years of experience in luxury retail Sam saw a space for pieces that were genderless and easy to wear while maintaining the level of luxury and detail seen in designer collections. All while avoiding the typical cliche of over styled pieces that age within a season. Nods to his prep school upbringing, such as replicating the pattern of his friends Hewitt skirt, were mixed with oversized hoodies and leather jackets. In capturing the overlapping styles of his youth, Sam hoped to share part of the magic that is growing up in Manhattan. Sam was able to distill his unique NY style into something new while maintaining the distinct dark humor of the brand. The collections are unisex, ageless, and are transitional with each season. They are designed to fit different sizes and shapes of the human form yet unique enough to attract the discerning eye. While some of the more editorial of the Manhattan Knights’ collection might be for a more advanced fashion enthusiast, we pride ourselves on making pieces that also transition from a night out to a brunch at Sarabeth’s. You might catch us in our sweats leaving the gym or in our Sunday best picking up bagels from Zabars. High fashion with a heavy dose of snark. (more)lg... (more)