The Aussie Fashion Label Everyone Will Be Wearing Next

Australia’s ‘Best Emerging Fashion Brand’ has just been named at the 2026 Australian Institute of Fashion Awards, and we’re taking it as a very good sign that fun, colourful fashion is making a serious comeback.

Meet MAKU Studios, the Melbourne label spurring a return to personality-rich style one playful, hand-painted design at a time.

Just two years in, and the slow fashion label has already landed on major Aussie retailers like Stylerunner, David Jones and The Iconic, been picked up by retailers in the US and caught the attention of some very stylish names overseas. Whitney Port has been spotted in MAKU Studios twice, while Alana Hadid reached for the label’s bold designs at Copenhagen fashion week.

We can see why these styles have proved so popular. Each original hand-painted piece celebrates creative expression with childlike abandon. Think cute motifs and playful scripts scrawled across wildly soft oversized tees, each designed by human hands and printed on premium 100% cotton. It’s sustainable art you can wear on repeat.

Sharing founder Maku Fenaroli’s own name, MAKU Studios is also a proud declaration of the Māori heritage she grew up trying to hide. A fitting full circle moment for a young artist who finally found her identity in the joyful, colour-drenched world she created.

The award win comes at an exciting time for MAKU Studios, with the label about to launch its first denim collection, decked in tattoo-inspired art. There’s also a pop-up gifting suite at New York Fashion Week to come, set to put the Aussie label in front of influencers, celebs and major fashion media.

With all that on the horizon, MAKU Studios might just be Australia’s next big slow fashion breakthrough.

Our advice? Stock up on these original pieces while you can.

Shop Our MAKU Studios Picks

Star Girl Oversize Wash Tee

$99 (or two for $150)

Burgundy Hibiscus Oversize Tee

$99 (or two for $150)

Santorini Blazer

$399

Santorini Trouser

$249

Gone Fishing Rugby Long Sleeve

$169

New York Logo Oversized Tee

$99 (or two for $150)

Maku Bloom Trackpants

$79 (was $169)

Del Mar Long Sleeve Top

$129

Farm Fresh Oversize Tee

$99 (or two for $150)

Tiramisu Boxy Crop Tee

$53.40 (was $89)

Now that you’re caught up on this MAKU Studios story, explore more of the latest fashion news then scope out these celeb-approved Australian fashion labels.

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