Naples-based Samantha Travagliante finds inspiration in the coastal hues and natural elements of Naples’ environs for her brand, Southern Marc Designs. The designer handcrafts colorful necklaces, bracelets and earrings from materials made to withstand the elements that shaped them, including coconut palm wood, natural freshwater baroque pearls, and scallop and turbo shells. She sources her base materials from American vendors and often embellishes them with beads from India and from Ghana’s Ashanti tribe, such as the storied clay beads featured in her Two-Tone Porto Lagos Collar Necklace. Each piece is strung and clasped with 18-karat gold fill to prevent tarnishing. Last month, Samantha opened a stall for Southern Marc at Naples’ Chesterdales Home & Garden—an ideal stop for holiday shopping. southernmarcdesigns.com
Photography by Anna Nguyen