IN MY SHOES I Marisa Hordern
Missoma founder and Creative Director Marisa Hordern launched the contemporary jewellery brand almost 20 years ago from her kitchen table, growing it into a globally recognised business known for elevated everyday jewellery designed to become part of your wardrobe. Passionate about creativity, storytelling, and building brands with longevity, Marisa is inspired by travel, craftsmanship, interiors, and the emotional connection people build with the pieces they wear every day. Alongside product and brand building, she is equally passionate about creating a strong company culture and community that people genuinely connect with.
Tell us a little about you.
I’m a Londoner born and bred, and I didn’t really know what I wanted to do as a career. I started jewellery as a hobby around the kitchen table, but I knew I wanted to work in a creative industry. What I love about running my own business is being able to see all sides of it and have visibility across the full 360 degrees of the brand and business. I’m married and have a son who has just turned two, and we spend our time between LA, London, and France. I’ve always loved jewellery and have been collecting it since I was about five years old. I’m a real hoarder and collector of all kinds of things, from ceramics and glass to objects and vintage finds. I love interior design, fashion, and of course jewellery, and I think if I hadn’t ended up in jewellery, I probably would have done something else within the fashion or interiors world — perhaps shoes, bags, or interiors.
How do you start your day?
Most mornings start with getting my son ready and having breakfast with him — usually while I’m simultaneously drinking coffee and feeding him. After then getting ready in about 20 mins or under, it’s off to work (which is only 10 mins away) armed with more coffee.
I always like to get dressed in a way that makes me feel put together and confident before heading into a busy day of meetings and everything that comes with running a business. I find that no matter how tired, hectic, or busy life feels, it makes me feel more confident, more positive, and more in control of the day ahead.
That sense of positivity is really important to me, both personally and as a team leader. I strongly believe the energy you bring into a room affects the people around you, so I always try to approach the day with a positive mindset and carry that through to the team as well.
What is your fashion philosophy?
I’ve always believed in building a wardrobe around pieces you genuinely love and will wear repeatedly rather than chasing trends. I like to buy pieces that I know I can wear at least three different ways — whether that’s a shirt styled with tailoring, jeans, or tucked into a skirt, or a jacket that works equally well dressed up or down. I think there’s a real rule of three when buying something.
I hate buying things for just one occasion and then never wearing them again. I love pieces that evolve with your wardrobe and can be styled differently depending on your mood or where you’re going.
It’s the same with accessories for me. My shoes and bags need to feel truly lived in and versatile. I think accessories are what really finish an outfit — no matter how minimal the look is. Adding great shoes, bag, and jewellery can instantly elevate something simple and give it personality, individuality, and confidence.
Can you share a styling trick with us?
For me, layering always makes an outfit feel more considered. Even if I’m just wearing simple jeans, boots, and a white T-shirt, I love adding jewellery and accessories to elevate the look — whether that’s a belt, layered necklaces, stacked bracelets, or a great pair of shoes.
I also love a good juxtaposition in styling. I’m very drawn to mixing textures, metals, materials, and finishes — the warmth of gold with the coolness of silver, something organic paired with something more modern and linear, or something soft and feminine balanced with a slightly more masculine edge.
I think the best styling trick is often doing something slightly unexpected while still keeping the overall look simple and effortless. Sometimes it’s just one detail — mixed metals, an unexpected finish on tailoring, or a pop of colour in your shoes or accessories — that gives an outfit personality and makes it feel more individual.
What / who inspires you?
My friendship group always inspire me. I naturally surround myself with people who are curious, driven, and always wanting to learn more, do more, and push themselves further. Most of my friends are probably Type A overachievers in one way or another, but I really admire that mindset of never standing still and always staying open to learning and evolving.
I’m also endlessly inspired by other founders and entrepreneurs. There’s a certain mentality founders tend to share — being inquisitive and resourceful, but also having learnt the hard way how to be resilient. It’s that combination of curiosity, initiative and optimism that I find incredibly motivating and inspiring to be around.
How do you unwind?
I never properly switch off and I definitely find it hard to fully unwind, but I know that exercise is really important for me. A workout always helps tire me out, clear my head, and get the serotonin pumping, usually followed by a steam to try and relax my muscles. And if I can fit one in (not often), a massage which is a great reset luxury.
Travelling is another favourite way to truly unwind. I love stepping out of my daily routine, getting out of my own head, exploring somewhere new, and feeling creatively inspired by different places, cultures and experiences.
But honestly, at this stage of life, sleep is probably the ultimate luxury. Especially with a toddler.
If you could visit anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would it be?
Japan. So many friends of mine who have been recently have come back saying it was one of the most inspiring places they’ve ever visited creatively. Everyone talks about the incredible attention to detail, the craftsmanship, the food, the fashion, the interiors, and the sense of calm and beauty in everyday life. It feels like a place where every experience has been so thoughtfully considered, and I think that would be endlessly inspiring both personally and creatively.
Can you tell us something you discovered recently?
I’ve recently started wearing a WHOOP to monitor my stress levels, sleep, recovery, and all the things that impact them. It’s been fascinating — and very revealing — seeing how much better I sleep after exercise, and equally how much worse my sleep can be after a late night or a few drinks.
What I’ve really discovered is how powerful awareness and accountability can be. Having something that helps you properly understand your habits and how your body responds has made me much more conscious about the decisions I make day to day, particularly around stress, energy, and recovery.
What is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is creating something tangible that people can wear and make part of their everyday lives. I love knowing that a piece can become part of someone’s routine, memories, travels, or moments that make them feel more confident and put together.
I also really value building a company culture and brand community where people genuinely connect with what we’re creating, what we stand for, and how we show up. Seeing both customers and teams feel inspired and emotionally connected to the brand is incredibly rewarding.
Which Rupert Sanderson shoes do you love this season?
This season, I love the white patent leather Tulya block heels. They have that perfect balance of polish and edge almost like a heeled loafer which makes them feel both modern and timeless. I love that they instantly elevate even the simplest outfit and make it cool. They’re the kind of shoe that genuinely goes with everything.
