A Rose-Tinted Life: Tamu McPherson’s Collaboration with Bitossi
We all have that friend with a special talent for making even the most ordinary moments feel magical. They’re the one who can turn a simple gathering into a beautiful memory, and a regular Tuesday into a celebration. This is the heart of Tamu McPherson’s world. A creative force behind the influential platform All the Pretty Birds and a multidisciplinary creative, she shares with SCALE her journey and convictions. She tells us about her design philosophy that celebrates optimism and shared moments and finally her new collaboration with Italian design house Bitossi Home, germinating seeds of joyful and purposeful design through the “La vie en rose” collection. By Arya Nair
Known for her joyful spirit and exquisite taste, Tamu McPherson has carved a unique path from a career in law to becoming a celebrated multidisciplinary creative. She believes that surrounding oneself with beauty is an act of hope. Her latest collaboration, “La vie en rose” with Italian design house Bitossi Home is more than just a collection of beautiful objects; it’s a heartfelt invitation to embrace life with optimism and share meaningful moments.
Tamu’s journey into design is as captivating as her creations. Starting as a street style photographer for Glamour Italy in 2006, she quickly became a subject of the lens herself, admired for her naturally chic style. This led to contributions to major fashion publications and the launch of her influential platform, “All the Pretty Birds”.
Her approach to design is deeply personal, much like her philosophy on home decorating: “Making a home is a bit like creating an outfit,” she explains. “You start with a strong piece, and then build a mood and a palette around it.” This layered, intuitive method ensures that every piece contributes to a larger, harmonious story.
When asked about the role of personal narrative in her design, Tamu emphasises, “The discussion about the Tamu and Bitossi collaboration started with a long-standing mutual respect for sisterhood and a shared sense of community. Personal stories and emotional bonds are at the heart of our partnership; these ideas were central to our vision from the beginning.” Her extensive background as a street-style photographer, blogger, and editor informs her perspective, always seeking to enrich her audience’s life. “Someone once told me that when we are given platforms with a certain reach, we are essentially in service. Our purpose is to add value, whether through beauty or substance,” she reflects.
This philosophy ensures her creations are not just visually appealing but deeply meaningful.
Her connection with Bitossi Home runs deep. “I’ve actually been a huge fan of Bitossi Home for over ten years,” Tamu shares. “I’ve always found the brand’s point of view fresh, witty, charming, and their products collectible.” She expresses profound respect for the team’s experience and their holistic approach to creating collections, highlighting the “opportunity for creative exchange, product development, and close collaboration with such a thoughtful and inspiring team.” This genuine admiration for Bitossi Home’s century-long history and their commitment to a “Contemporary Tradition” made the collaboration a natural fit.
Beyond aesthetics, Tamu’s criteria for new design collaborations are clear. Her top priorities include “the potential to learn something new; alignment in vision and values; and whether the partnership feels authentic and meaningful.” This discerning approach ensures that every project she undertakes resonates with her core principles.
The “La vie en rose” collection itself is a testament to this philosophy. Its name, meaning “life in pink,” carries a powerful message of trust and hope, especially relevant in today’s complex world. It’s born from a simple yet profound desire: “To come together and share a special moment with the people we love, wherever we may be, celebrating the joy of being together with spontaneity and a touch of wonder.”
When asked how the deeper meaning of “seeing life in pink” influenced the collection’s design, Tamu explains, “We wanted this collaboration to spread joy. The rose is a universal symbol of love. The combined pink and green check pattern represents a marriage of loyalty, wisdom, and hope. The transparent glass symbolises open lines of communication that strengthen community. The textiles and rose embroidery are meant to provide comfort and warmth.” This thoughtful integration of symbolism into every shape, texture, and pattern ensures the collection is imbued with positive emotion.
The Deconstructed Table Concept of Bitossi
The collection fits perfectly with Bitossi Home’s “La Tavola Scomposta” (The Deconstructed Table) concept. This idea is all about breaking the rules of table setting. Instead of following strict traditions, it encourages mixing different styles, objects, and cultures to create a unique look.
The approach is like a “well-orchestrated chaos” that celebrates the small flaws in handcrafted items, seeing them as a luxury. This shared love for freedom and personal style is what makes the partnership between Tamu and Bitossi Home feel so natural and genuine.
With every project, Tamu proves her commitment to creating not just beauty, but positive social impact. Her work extends to initiatives like “Shoe Up For Justice,” which champions voting rights, and her role as Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Ambassador for Camera Nazionale Della Moda Italiana. She also contributes to Bvlgari’s “Save The Children Arte di Bvlgari project,” fostering imagination in underserved communities.
When asked how she weaves her commitment to human rights, diversity, and women’s empowerment into her design collaborations, Tamu states, “Incorporating social impact elements into my design work always feels natural. Women’s empowerment was a core focus of this collaboration; it was deeply integrated from the start. We envisioned this basket being used by women as they shared important and meaningful moments in their lives. During our design meetings, we often imagined women gathering to love, support, cry, and glow together.”
This dedication to purpose-driven design ensures that “La vie en rose” isn’t just about beautiful objects, but about protecting “what makes us human and brings us closer, beyond all differences”. Her commitment to ethical production is also evident in her collaboration with Officina del Poggio (ODP) Collection, where merino wool capes were made with Cooperativa Alice, an organization empowering incarcerated and marginalised women in Italy through skills training.
On balancing creativity with responsible production, Tamu notes, “This goes back to my point about choosing partners who share my vision and values. Balancing creativity with responsibility becomes more achievable when everyone involved is committed to creating positive, thoughtful experiences for people and the planet.” This holistic approach underscores her belief that true sustainability is a collective effort.
Looking ahead, Tamu is keenly aware of industry shifts. To her, the key is to show companies the value of qualitative design, which will help them focus on creating lasting products instead of just their brand image.True sustainability is holistic. A product’s worth is ultimately measured by its ability to bring a positive, uplifting experience to creators and consumers.
Encouraging leaders to embrace this mindset is where our efforts should be focused.” She also notes a shift from focusing on product quality to presentation and branding, seeing an opportunity to “find new ways to showcase products and be an influential source”. Her advocacy for demand-based production models, like made-to-order, aims to reduce waste and challenge the “old system of fashion”.
The “La vie en rose” collection, therefore, is more than just a set of tableware. It’s a heartfelt reflection of Tamu McPherson’s belief in authentic connection, joy, and purposeful design. It invites us to slow down, appreciate shared moments, and cultivate beauty in our everyday lives, reminding us that even in complex times, choosing to see life in pink is an act of profound trust and hope.
