Who is Maku Fenaroli?
Meet Maku Fenaroli, the self-taught artist whose vibrant hand-painted designs have captured hearts from The Block Shop to the bustling streets of Auckland. From her journey as a painter to launching her coveted fashion line, Maku shares insights on creativity, fashion, and embracing the unexpected turns in life.
A creative soul originally from Aotearoa (New Zealand), Maku has seamlessly blended her love for watercolour painting with fashion, creating bold, chic designs that resonate with so many. Her down-to-earth personality and organic approach to creativity are as inspiring as her art—a true reminder to follow what lights you up.
Want a peek into Maku's colourful world? Find her on Instagram at @makusart, where art meets fashion in the most delightful way.
But before you do, come dive into Maku’s story as she opens up about her creative process, her unique approach to blending art and fashion, and the joy she finds in creating without constraints.
Q: Such a pleasure to sit down with you, Maku! First things first. It’s Thursday, an evening we traditionally dedicate to self-care or beauty rituals—taking a moment for ourselves. What does self-care look like for you? How do you carve out that time during a busy week?
A: Having a peppermint tea and my Chinese herbs and sitting down to paint—that’s if I ever actually get that time haha.
Q: For those who don’t know, you’re a self-taught artist from New Zealand who has had your artwork featured on The Block Shop and in galleries in Auckland. Now you’ve transitioned into fusing fashion with your art. Can you share what led you to become an artist?
A: My whole family is creative; we all have things we love to do. For me, it was always painting. I’ve loved it from such a young age but never felt like I’d found something I was good at or could feel proud of… until now.
Q: What are your ethos or manifestos when it comes to beauty, fashion, and self-expression?
A: Do what makes you feel good! And try not to compare—comparison is the thief of joy.
Q: Your tees are gaining huge attention for their vibrant and oh-so-chic designs. How did the idea to feature your art as prints on tees come about?
A: Honestly, I was looking for tees myself and nothing stood out. Anything that did was $100-$150, and I thought, "Stuff that! I’ll make my own!" Like my art, I thought it’d do okay—maybe sell a couple—but this wasn’t on my vision board haha.
It just happened organically, which makes me love it even more because it’s real and people genuinely love it.
Q: We’d love to peek behind the curtain. Can you share what the creative process looks like for you?
A: It’s pretty similar to when I was just painting. I’ll see something inspiring and immediately imagine a collection. I never paint just one thing—it’s always a tangent. I’ll paint heaps and then edit it down so only the best make it to the tees. I have sooo much art at home that didn’t make it—it’s crazy.
But as for the nitty gritty… each design begins with a watercolour painting that I transform into a digital format. Right now, I am very hands on with each piece, personally managing every step of editing to finalising the artwork, ensuring each piece reflects my vision.
By printing each T-shirt to order, I also stay true to my zero-waste approach. Ultimately, I just want to make beautiful pieces accessible while staying true to my value for sustainability.
Q: Ok, let’s get to really know you. What’s in your handbag?
A: I am a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants gal. I literally just take my phone and a drink bottle most of the time. I'm not a planner if you couldn’t tell from my other answers haha.
Q: Absolute must-haves when it comes to looking after your skin?
When it comes to makeup, I actually suffer from hormonal acne – thanks kids for ruining my beautiful pre-child skin haha. So, I wear a very light BB cream from Bare Minerals, bronzer, mascara and blush. That’s it most of the time. And then as for skincare, lots of glycolic acid and a great retinol!
Q: You’ve been practising your art for over 10 years. Huge congratulations! It’s so inspiring for other creatives juggling family and passions. What advice would you give to someone starting out or making a change?
A: My advice, or at least what worked for me, is to never put pressure on yourself for it to be about money. I’ve always had a full-time job, so painting was something I did because I loved it, not because I needed it for income. I think that’s why I’ve always enjoyed it. I’ve been lucky enough to get to a point where it’s now possible to focus on it, but that was never the goal.
Q: What does 2025 look like for you—business, life, travel? Are any plans on the horizon?
A: Absolutely no idea. I’m not someone who likes to plan—my husband does that for me haha. Seriously, though, I have no idea! I just know I’m going to be releasing a couple of exciting products and hope they don’t crash and burn… ;)
Q: Lastly, mindset shapes so much of life. What’s a quote you live by?
A: Ooooh, I’m not sure. I’m not really a quote gal, but I always try to teach my boys that kindness matters. Maybe something like, "There’s more happiness in giving than receiving," or "Treat others how you want to be treated." As a mum of boys, I’m always trying to model kindness and respect.
Our takeaways?
Maku Fenaroli’s journey is a testament to the beauty of following your passions with authenticity and heart. Her vibrant designs and approachable personality remind us that creativity doesn’t have to follow a set path—it’s about embracing what feels right and letting it evolve naturally.
Looking for more inspiration from creative minds across beauty, fashion and all things sunless tanning and lifestyle? Don’t miss our chats with Dr Alice Rudd, Rebecca Burrow, Lili Aghaei, and Chris Dylan. Each story is a celebration of individuality, passion, and the beauty of self-expression.
Written By Liana Pantalone – Beauty & Skincare Copywriter at Climbing Vine Co.
