How Maku Fenaroli grew a wearable art brand in 3 months

The Artist

Maku Fenaroli is a self-taught artist with 15 years of experience, known for her bold, graphic designs and a deep connection to her Māori heritage. Based in Australia, Maku has spent years creating striking prints that celebrate her culture and artistic vision.

Three months ago, she decided to explore a new medium for her creativity: t-shirts. Inspired by her love of bold streetwear and the challenge of finding pieces she genuinely connected with, Maku launched her wearable art line. To her surprise, the response was instant - and her new venture took off.

“I wasn’t expecting it to blow up like this. I just thought, ‘Why not create something bold that I’d actually want to wear?’ Turns out, a lot of other people wanted it too!” said Maku.

The Challenge

Despite her success, Maku faced hurdles when starting her clothing line. Local providers in Australia didn’t offer the high-quality, oversized styles she wanted.

“There’s really only two or three blank t-shirt brands over here, and none of them have that vintage, oversized feel I was after,” Maku explained. “They’re either way too expensive or just don’t feel right for the kind of statement pieces I wanted to make.”

Adding to the challenge was the time-consuming process of manually managing orders and shipping from her existing printer. With her full-time job and commitment to her art, she needed a solution that allowed her to focus on creating.

Key challenges included:

• Limited options: Local blanks didn’t match the modern, streetwear vibe Maku envisioned.
• Time strain: Managing orders, shipping, and production left little time for creative work.
• Global accessibility: Expanding beyond Australia’s borders was logistically overwhelming.

‍

‍

The Solution

When Maku discovered Tapstitch, everything changed.

“Honestly, Tapstitch was exactly what I was looking for. The oversized blanks, the bold print quality - it was a no-brainer,” she said. “I ordered samples, and the quality blew me away. It’s exactly the kind of premium look I wanted.”

Tapstitch provided:

• Stylish oversized blanks: Tapstitch’s selection of streetwear-inspired styles offered the vintage look Maku couldn’t find locally.
• High-quality prints: The boldness and clarity of Tapstitch’s prints perfectly captured her intricate designs.
• Seamless dropshipping: By handling production and shipping, Tapstitch freed Maku from logistical headaches, letting her focus on her art.

“The best part is how easy everything is. I can just upload a design, integrate it with my site, and boom - it’s ready to go. No more manually handling orders!”

The Results

In just three months of using Tapstitch, Maku has seen incredible results:

• 250+ sales: Her wearable art has resonated with customers across Australia and beyond.
• Increased creative freedom: Fast production lets her create designs that are always on trend.
• Customer satisfaction: Maku receives constant praise for the quality and style of her shirts.

“Seeing people wearing my designs is amazing. The feedback has been so positive - it feels good to know my art is connecting with people in such a tangible way.”

Future Plans

Looking ahead, Maku is excited to expand her line with Tapstitch’s growing catalog.

“I’m really keen to try the all-over print options and maybe even branch into hoodies and co-ords,” she shared. “I’ve already got designs in my head that I know will look amazing.”

Tapstitch’s sustainable, zero-waste production model is also a huge draw for Maku. “As an artist and someone who cares about the environment, knowing there’s no excess waste is a big deal for me. It just makes the whole process feel good.”

Tapstitch has empowered Maku Fenaroli to turn her bold artwork into a thriving wearable art business. By offering premium quality, effortless integration, and a platform for global reach, Tapstitch has helped Maku focus on what she loves most - creating.

“I can’t recommend Tapstitch enough. If you’re an artist who wants to make your designs wearable, this is the way to do it. They’ve been a game-changer for me.”

Ready to turn your designs into high-quality fashion?
Join hundreds of creators like Maku who are using Tapstitch to share their art with the world.

‍

‍