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Fashion
IN CONVERSATION WITH… MARISA HORDEN OF MISSOMA
You would be hard-pressed to find a fashionable face that isn’t adorned with Missoma. Whether it’s a scroll through Instagram, a stroll down the street, the colleague sitting next to you, on celebrities and your best friends, the demi-fine jewellery brand has transformed the way women get dressed. Here, we meet Marisa Horden, the woman behind the cult-favourite brand.
Marisa Horden of Missoma.
On Demi-Fine Jewellery…
I first started Missoma 15 years ago because I was trying to find fashion-forward jewellery that was high quality and also affordable, but I soon realised that it just didn’t exist. At that time, there was luxury fine and then cheap fast fashion, with nothing in-between. I knew there was a gap in the market for high-quality, cool pieces at an accessible price point – jewellery I loved but could actually afford – so I set about designing it myself. Our demi-fine jewellery is crafted from 18ct gold vermeil. Pronounced ‘ver-may’, it’s the design and durability you love without the pure gold price tag. Gold vermeil pieces start out as a sterling silver base (this is what gives them their weightier feel). A thick 2.5 microns of real gold is then layered over the top of the base through electrolysis (essentially an electrical current), to give each piece extra durability and a luxury finish.
On Layering jewellery…
I always remind my team that layering jewellery is about getting creative and indulging your playful side – if you overthink it, it’s less fun! There are three tips we swear by for those not sure where to begin; start with a base chain that can be your go-to everyday chain, add another textured chain to add length and then throw in something with a pendant or more statement to draw the eye in. But there really are no rules. It’s about self-expression and you should wear it your way, not someone else’s. We’re just there to give you some inspiration and start you off on your journey.
I always remind my team that layering jewellery is about getting creative and indulging your playful side – if you overthink it, it’s less fun!
Marisa Horden
Ancient Rome at night.
On inspiration…
I studied Modern History but it's the ancient world that excites me creatively when it comes to jewellery. Some of our best selling collections have been designed with these cultures in mind, whether it’s our Lucy Williams x Missoma Roman collection which birthed our Roman Arc Coin Pendant Necklace, or the Colombia-inspired Momposina collection which brought us our iconic Zenyu Fan Hoops. There is so much inspiration to be found from ancient cultures and it’s always about how to modernise it in a way that makes sense now.
On Responsible Production Methods…
We're dedicated to better, passionately committed to pushing ourselves and our industry to build a better future. It's a long road, but we're already on our way. Always sustainably-minded, our packaging is 100% recyclable, with 100% carbon-neutral deliveries and returns you can track in real time – the first jewellery brand ever to offer this, in partnership with climate tech brand Vayuu. As of October 2021, 100% of our new collections are crafted from recycled sterling silver. Missoma Fine is made of 100% recycled solid gold, and 6/6 of our factories now manufacture with recycled gold plating for our gold vermeil and gold plated pieces. We never want to waste a scrap of precious metal. We’re now busy working on getting 100% recycled brass metal for our gold plated pieces. We’re plastic free on outbound jewellery and are also looking at biodegradable plastic for our inbound. There’s always more to do, but it’s about setting out a road map, and trying to do it step by step.
We’ve worked hard to move to a more sustainable packaging, keeping the same iconic Missoma aesthetic in a new plastic-free style. The outer box is 100% recycled, all paper is FSC certified, meaning the wood pulp comes from managed forests. The printing inks are soy based, which are a little easier on the environment, and our pouches are made to be kept and reused. Your Missoma goodies are then sent to you with 100% carbon-neutral delivery.
On Heirloom pieces…
My most treasured piece of jewellery is a textured gold bypass ring from my grandmother. She wore it everyday and it reminds me so much of her. After all, jewellery is to be worn and enjoyed everyday and it is the most sentimental of gifts and the most personal purchase. It helped inspire our best-selling sculptural bypass rings which are modern versions of the one she wore.
After all, jewellery is to be worn and enjoyed everyday and it is the most sentimental of gifts and the most personal purchase.
Marisa Horden
On mantras for 2023…
My mantra has always been to rise to the challenge and always be a problem-solver. It’s about having a can-do attitude and surrounding yourself with positive people.
As we enter into economic uncertainty and difficult times, keep focusing on what you are doing, don’t look sideways and just focus on the road ahead. Keep prioritising and re-prioritising and don’t get sidetracked.
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