Island Idylls: Miseno Adds to Baia and Ischia Collections for Vicenzaoro

In August of last year, I wrote about Miseno’s triumphant homecoming to Italy and the grand opening of its new offices in Valenza. Although the brand’s heritage is firmly in the Mediterranean, it has been based in New York for many years, and this has contributed to its cross-cultural aesthetic. Ahead of the September 2024 edition of Vicenzaoro, the opportunity arose to discover new additions to its beautiful Baia and Ischia collections, including a stand-out suite inspired by historic underwater mosaics…

My personal experience shows that brands often fall into two camps. Some prefer to create collections as contained, finite projects, never to be adapted again, which serve as a snapshot of a creative moment in time. Others see their collections as fluid, ever-evolving journeys that can be continually updated. Fortunately for us, Miseno falls into the latter category! It has recently announced extensions to both the Baia Sommersa and Ischia collections, which I introduced to you in 2023, and has added some one-of-a-kind items, too. 

Miseno Founder and Creative Director Antonio Cardamuro tells me that these expansions are driven by a desire to deepen the brand’s connections to “Italy’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty” and “celebrate our Southern Italian origins”. Regular readers of this website will know that I am especially fond of Italian jewellery for its confidence, proportions, ergonomics and style. Let’s see how Miseno is continuing this tradition, starting with a one-of-a-kind set. 

Bountiful Baia

The Baia Sommersa collection (Baia for short!) is named for an archaeological treasure – Parco Sommerso di Baia – an underwater, ancient Roman city that some have likened to a submerged Pompeii. It is possible to dive into the blue and discover what remains of villas, thermal baths, statues, and amphorae (ancient Greek vases) for yourself. But what really sets this area apart is the beautiful mosaics that would have once lined the floors of Roman buildings. In 2023, a new portion of mosaic was discovered with great swirling waves of white tiles, enveloped in blue, in a circular pattern that is reminiscent of Tunisian villas, according to archaeologists. Where there was once silt and sand, there is now a colourful reminder of cultures that have long since disappeared. 

Miseno drew inspiration from this find for a new suite of high jewellery, including a cuff bracelet and matching pendant that recreate the ocean mosaic in precious form. The main circular motif of the cuff and pendant is a recreation of the find at Parco Sommerso di Baia, while the remaining hexagonal details are the creative thread that links these masterpieces to the broader Baia Sommersa collection. The cuff is set with 12.73 carats of blue sapphires and 4.51 carats of white diamonds, while the pendant features 2.72 carats of diamonds and 6.50 carats of sapphires.

Hardstone Highlights

Elsewhere, Baia Sommersa has been accentuated with new sautoir necklaces, earrings, flexible stretch bracelets, which are ideal for layering with existing bangles, and a new palette of black diamonds and mother of pearl. All continue the Baia tradition of hexagonal tiles of inlaid malachite, lapis lazuli, mother of pearl, turquoise, onyx, and coral typically (although not exclusively) set in warm 18k yellow gold. What I appreciate about these designs is how wearable they are and how quickly they can be elevated from daytime dressing to evening attire. 

Thanks to that unifying hexagonal motif, colours can be combined in interesting ways, too, without appearing to ‘clash’. A blend of turquoise and coral springs to mind, although monochromatic black and white are shown beautifully in new campaign imagery. “Turquoise adds a refreshing pop of colour, symbolic of the Mediterranean waters and the vibrant mosaics,” Antonio says. 

The new additions enhance the collection by providing a broader range of colours and styles, including gold and diamond pieces, that allow for greater versatility in personal expression. The collection’s ability to be stacked and layered offers endless styling options, allowing each piece to stand out individually or to be combined for a more personalized look, shares Antonio Cardamuro.

Island Ischia

The Ischia collection sets these geometric themes aside in favour of more classical florals. It is inspired by the landmass in the Tyrrhenian Sea near Miseno, which is nicknamed the ‘green island’ because of its abundant flowers and thermal waters. The first chapter of the collection presented asymmetric diamond, sapphire and emerald-set blooms in 18k white gold, including a large cuff bracelet, pendants, earrings and rings. Now, Miseno has introduced some lovely ombré styles into the Ischia offering, including floral pendants with gradients of pink and blue sapphires, alongside matching earrings and stackable bracelets. 

Antonio explains that the flower motif was designed to add a “fresh, romantic element” to the brand’s offering while also tapping into the layering trend that shows no sign of abating. He continues: “The delicate designs and choice of gemstones bring out the beauty of the island’s natural flora. Each gem selected complements the flower theme, with their colours and textures reflecting the vibrant and diverse botanical landscape of Ischia.”

On the Horizon

With all this to enjoy at Vicenzaoro in 2024, it would be easy to set aside the future in favour of the present. However, I heard mention of a new collection and so I couldn’t help but ask questions! According to Antonio, Miseno will launch a brand-new range in 2025 using the shape of its logo as a launchpad. It’s actually quite a simple construction – a slender archway – that is inspired by the Arco Felice (‘Happy Arch’) in Naples. This ancient Roman passageway lines one of the routes into Miseno and is believed to represent one’s entry into a place of happiness and abundance. We can’t think of a better starting point for a collection! 

Whether you are more drawn to the underwater mosaics of long-lost Baia or the calming oasis of abundant Ischia, Miseno has found a way of translating the themes of its homeland into wearable and enjoyable collections. If you’re visiting Vicenzaoro in September, perhaps there’s still time to fly south to Naples to experience what makes Miseno sing.