After more than two decades in Milan, Tamu McPherson has become one of the city’s stars of style, and an in-demand consultant and image-maker working with luxury brands. Jamaican-born and raised in the US, she has fully adopted Italy and its lifestyle – even bottling her own rosé, Tamu, at her husband’s Tuscan vineyard – but she remains an ever-enchanted visitor of the Bel Paese. “I’m so immersed in life here, but I’m not from this place,” she says. “As a foreigner, you can never take this life for granted – it’s a dream.”
What’s the first item of clothing you remember loving?
I bought a pair of brogues in London when I was around 13. They were impeccable, expensive and so sophisticated. I felt amazing walking into my Nyack, New York school wearing these beautiful shoes from England.
What are your go-to wardrobe essentials?
Ever since the ‘90s, I’ve embraced the denim jacket, even as the proportions have changed over time. It’s a hero piece for me, alongside a great leather jacket, a blazer, and a navy pea coat – these styles that are ingrained in our iconography of clothing. I’m big on a gorgeous statement dress, too – something a bit whimsical and fun, with unusual draping or decorations. I also love classic sneakers – New Balances or Vans, another ‘90s style.
Why does fashion matter in your life?
I’ve always had a strong sense of activism and political awareness, but I’m obsessed with style, and I don’t see a contradiction in those passions. Fashion is part of celebrating life. My Italian stepmom was a student of Umberto Eco and Pier Paolo Pasolini – she was deep into serious theories about history and society – and when her son (my husband) was born, she celebrated by buying herself a Chanel jacket. My mom and my aunt – Jamaican immigrants in New York and self-made women – would dress me up in different outfits all day long. It wasn’t an easy life, but they found joy in clothing, and I inherited that joy from them.
See also: What Matters to Umit Benan
Do you have a favorite item of clothing?
A cream-colored dress with a racerback and a fringed hem designed by Phoebe Philo. I love that era of Celine. It was an investment piece, and I worked hard to afford that dress. I take good care of it and still love it.
Can you describe your style inspiration?
Everywhere I’ve lived – Jamaica, New York, Milan – and everywhere I travel in the world, I take a little bit of it and incorporate it into my style. I’m learning from my stylish friends all the time, too. I’ve been doing a lot of lingerie dressing – inspired by the ‘90s – with blazers over transparent skirts, like Maria Grazia Chiuri did at Fendi. I love playing with new trends, but only in how they work for my own style – mixing everything together to create bold, colorful looks.
Do you have a philosophy when you put together an outfit?
I get dressed to please myself, and there’s a moment when you just know the look is right – it’s finished. I do, however, also dress for my friends. It’s a form of affection: you love your friends, so you wear something pretty for them, something you know they’ll appreciate.
What’s on your wishlist?
A hunter green vintage Porsche! I’d also love a moon jar from Korea, and a Patek Philippe watch.
What’s your dream journey?
On my list is a trip to Peru and Machu Picchu, and I’ve requested the visa for Tibet to visit the temples, which you do with a guide, as you must be accompanied. I’m also planning to head to Naoshima, the art island in Japan.
You travel constantly. You must have some favorite standby hotels.
Jamaica is my beautiful home country, and when I visit, I stay at GoldenEye. It's owned by Chris Blackwell, Bob Marley's producer, and it’s the kind of place where Grace Jones might drop in for lunch. There's a hint of nostalgia and reggae culture. I love the bungalow-style rooms, the restaurant, and the vibes. The service is excellent – I've been going for years and the staff hasn't changed, which means they take care of their people. That matters, because tourism is how most Jamaicans earn a living.
What’s in your bag when you travel?
I always have an extra-large Hermès silk scarf with me. I wear it like a babushka to cocoon myself on the plane, ptherwise the air on the flight dries out my hair, and I like to protect my face from touching the pillow. Then I have my first aid kit: eye drops, vitamins, hand sanitizer, and bandaids. I keep a Chanel hand lotion on me, as well as a lip balm – I love the Augustinus Bader one, but usually I just have Blistex or a pharmacy brand in my bag since I lose them so often. I also travel with Kettl’s genmai matcha tea bags, in case I don’t like the tea on offer.
What matters to you when you travel?
With a wilderness trip like the one to Kilimanjaro, my goal is always to immerse myself in nature and be overwhelmed by it – like by the vastness of the mountain, and the raw power of the volcano that created it. I want to free myself from my mind through nature. If I’m visiting a city, I love to look at people. As a former street-style photographer, I enjoy observing people. I like to see how they live and go about their day there.
And what matters to you most in life?
Love.
