In the vibrant world of textile design and macramé, Denisse Marianela Vera stands out as an artist who not only weaves fibres but also deep stories and connections with her roots. Born in Australia with Chilean heritage, Denisse has found a unique way to fuse cultures, techniques, and emotions through her art. Every knot, every design, takes us on a journey that transcends borders, connecting the past with the present, art with identity.
In this interview, Denisse shares her inspiring journey: from learning the first secrets of macramé in the Atacama Desert to creating pieces that have reached international markets. Denisse also tells stories of resilience, empowerment, and family heritage.
With a blend of passion and authenticity, her words invite us to discover not only her work but also her creative soul. Keep reading to dive into Denisse's fascinating world, where textile art comes to life through cultural legacy, deep emotions, and an unbreakable connection with Chile and Australia.
THE INTERVIEW
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF, YOUR STORY, AND HOW YOU CAME INTO THE WORLD OF ART.
I was born in Australia to Chilean parents. My Chilean heritage has always been a significant part of my identity. My sister was born in Chile, while my brother and I were born in Australia. My parents saved up for our trips back to Chile, and we always loved returning. My fondest memories are of my extended family and our trips through the north and south of Chile.
Since I was young, I loved expressing myself through art. Painting, sculpture, and collage were my main forms until my dad taught me how to sew, and I’ve never stopped. At 13, I began bringing my drawings to life. I studied a four-year design degree at the University of Technology, Sydney. It was during a trip to Chile before my final year at university that I learned macramé in the Atacama Desert from a Chilean artisan. After my graduation runway show, I sold my first macramé dress.
WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO AUSTRALIA, AND HOW HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED YOUR ART FROM HERE?
My parents came to Australia as political exiles in 1985. My father was a political prisoner for 13 months, and after his release, my parents had to flee Chile for their safety. During his time in prison, my father created artwork as a pastime and for his mental health. I believe my love for art and the tendency to create with my hands is something I inherited from him. I became obsessed with the macramé technique from the moment I made my first knots. I knew I had found something very special — my new love, my therapy, and the foundation of my future vocation.
I created my first collection for my graduation and then designed and launched my second collection, Enigma, in 2014. That collection was very well received for its unique qualities, and my designs became popular at international music festivals such as Coachella and Burning Man. Now, my creations are internationally recognised, and I’ve designed for artists, films, runways, photoshoots, and events such as weddings and special events. In recent years, I have led workshops and two Masterclasses. The first Masterclass I led took place in Chile, which was particularly meaningful as it was in my motherland, where I originally learned macramé.
Denisse reveals a deeply humanistic aspect to her art. For her, art is not just an individual expression but a powerful tool to empower others. It’s fascinating how fashion and design, often associated with outward appearance, in Denisse’s hands, become something much more transcendent: a way to awaken inner strength, inspiration, and resilience in those who wear her creations.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ARTISTIC STYLE OR APPROACH?
My style is very detailed and always highly conceptual. Each of my designs holds meaning and tells a story through lines, colours, textures, prints, and different fibre materials. The focus has been to demonstrate my connection with my culture through my designs. One of my prints was developed from a photo I took of a rock formation in the Tierra del Fuego National Park in Chile. I combined that print with designs I developed alongside Oliver, the artisan who originally taught me the macramé technique. That collection was about my Chilean roots, which exist deeply within my identity despite being born in Australia.
What distinguishes Denisse is how her work is not just an expression of her creativity but also a bridge between two worlds: Australia and Chile. Each piece seems to be infused with meaning, as if it carries fragments of her personal story.
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE THE PURPOSES OF YOUR WORK?
The primary purposes of my work are to help the client feel empowered and resilient while wearing Denisse M Vera. Also, because my designs are highly detailed and unique, they have the ability to surprise spectators and to fill their minds with awe and inspiration.
HAVE YOU BEEN INFLUENCED BY OTHER ARTISTS OR ARTISTIC MOVEMENTS?
I’ve tried not to focus too much on the work of others to allow my own vision to flow. I believe this is why I’ve been able to develop my unique aeshtetic, which has led me to become a pioneer of this style internationally.
Naturally, I take into consideration lines, silhouettes, textures, and colours I encounter in my day-to-day life, especially when I travel or am in nature. I would say that ancient times have been my primary influence. It’s common for me to connect with the earth during the full moon, as they did in Mapuche culture.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR RECENT PROJECTS.
In 2022, I created four designs for the film Thor: Love and Thunder. In 2023, I led my first Masterclass in my motherland, Chile, and completed the construction of the Denisse M Vera studio. This year, 2024, I hosted my first event and my second Masterclass in my new studio. Additionally, I will launch my new collection at the Chile Sentido exhibition in November 2024.
IS THERE A PARTICULAR PIECE THAT HAS LEFT A MARK ON YOU, AND WHY?
A few years ago, I collaborated with a designer from Estonia. She drew a very complex sketch, and I brought it to life. It was challenging to create such a difficult design, and it also fit the client perfectly, despite not trying it on before her event. Since then, I’ve gained much more confidence in myself and my abilities, and now I feel I can make any design a reality.
Denisse's personal experiences not only manifest in her designs but also in the colours she chooses. Her journey to Chillán and the unexpected connection with her family history reminds us that art can be a way to rediscover our roots, reinterpret what it means to belong to a culture, and how details, like the colours of nature, can inspire something as tangible as a piece of clothing.
WHAT PIECES WILL YOU PRESENT IN THIS EXHIBITION, AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE THEM?
I am currently in the process of creating the works for the exhibition. The concept is based on my connection to my roots and the contrast between the macramé technique, which I have perfected, with its Arabic roots, and the Mapuche weaving of my ancestors.
Part of the history of macramé comes from England and later spread across Spain. The historical textiles of the Mapuche people are woven, using various colours and techniques to create different "ñimin" (designs/patterns). Through my designs, I will explore the contrast and union of the different facets of our roots.
IS THERE A STORY BEHIND ONE OF YOUR PIECES THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE?
Not necessarily the story of a specific piece, but the story behind the colours I’ll be incorporating into my collection. The story takes place in Chillán. I travelled to Chile with my partner for the first time in March 2023, and we learned that my maternal grandfather’s family and grandmother’s family were from Chillán. So, we took a five-hour train to explore the surroundings of the southern city and mountainous surrounds. The lush green flora in nature, bathed in white snow, deeply inspired me. The flowing blue river and the solid white ice, melting, ever-changing, never fixed — much like our identity.
We met a Mapuche artisan in the plaza, who told us that Mapuche garments such as the "trarilonco" and the "trapelacucha" were made from silver because the colour is symbolic and calls upon the spirits for protection. For that reason, I will also incorporate silver into my collection.
WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS EXHIBITION?
My expectation is to strengthen my connections with community leaders, Chilean artists in Australia, Chilean officials in the Australian Government, and Chilean officials working in Australia.
Personally, I also expect to experiment with a wider range of textile techniques and push myself out of my comfort zone in terms of design and style. I feel that this exhibition will encourage me to keep reading and deepen my knowledge on topics related to my Mapuche culture. Besides working on my new collection, I am also taking an online Mapudungun course, so this process has already been one of learning and connection.
LOOKING BACK ON YOUR CAREER, WHAT HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT MOMENTS FOR YOU AS AN ARTIST?
One moment I will always remember was when my mother was undergoing cancer treatment, and I was able to fully dedicate myself to being by her side because my team had the knowledge and confidence to fulfil urgent orders. I was able to stop working.
The day I received the offer to study at the University of Technology, Sydney, was a significant day I will never forget. I also remember the pride I felt when I was asked to give a talk to the 2021 design class at the same university.
HAVE YOU FOUND ANY NOTABLE DIFFERENCES IN THE ART SCENE HERE COMPARED TO YOUR HOME COUNTRY?
Unfortunately, I’ve noticed that handmade crafts are much more valued here in Australia than in Latin America. I feel that many people in Latin America are somewhat desensitised to the complexity of macramé and other textile arts because they are so commonly seen and often sold at very low prices.
WHAT ARE YOUR UPCOMING PROJECTS OR GOALS IN YOUR ARTISTIC CAREER?
I would love to travel and teach my Masterclass in several countries, including Spain, New Zealand, the United States, England, Peru, Canada, and Ireland. I also plan to offer a two-day Masterclass where we’d create a more complex design in my studio, both in Australia and in Chile and Spain.
Another goal is to create an online platform for teaching macramé fashion design, available in both English and Spanish. Finally, and most excitingly, I’ll be launching my new collection at the Chile Sentido exhibition on 6 November.
WHAT DOES PARTICIPATING IN THIS EXHIBITION MEAN TO YOU?
It means a great deal to me because I deeply value my culture and the opportunity to build connections. Through this exhibition, I’ll be able to connect with a community that shares experiences similar to mine. I’ll also get to learn about the stories of other artists through their work and share our Chilean roots with the exhibition's visitors.
HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR YOU TO CONNECT WITH THE CHILEAN COMMUNITY IN AUSTRALIA THROUGH ART?
It’s incredibly important because, through art, I’ve been able to strengthen my bond with my culture, and I know that this is a common experience for many artists. Together, we can work towards sharing our cherished Chilean culture with a broader audience.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTINUE BEING PART OF THESE GATHERINGS? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE CHILEAN-AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITY?
Yes, I would love to continue connecting, both via video and in person. I think it would be wonderful if we could organise a session where all the artists teach each other our techniques, or we could even offer a workshop day for the public.
I also believe we should continue the tradition of holding an exhibition every two years with the same artists, but showcasing new works. This would inspire us to keep creating and innovating.
WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEAVE FOR THOSE WHO ATTEND THE GALLERY?
Prepare to enjoy an exhibition entirely crafted from love for our culture, memories, and nostalgia. You’ll feel our open hearts as you enter the space. Every artist involved is connected by a common thread… our love for art and our Chilean heritage.
HOW CAN PEOPLE INTERESTED IN YOUR WORK FOLLOW YOU OR GET IN TOUCH?
On Instagram: @denissemvera
Vistit my Website: www.denissemvera.com
Contact me on my Email: denisse@denissemvera.com
Denisse Marianela Vera has taken us on an intimate journey through her art and her connection to her Chilean roots. Her pieces, filled with detail and symbolism, reflect her unique ability to blend tradition with modernity.
At the Chile Sentido exhibition, Denisse will present her new collection, a body of work that combines the European macramé technique with the Mapuche textile legacy, creating a dialogue between cultures through art.
Don't miss this opportunity to discover her work and that of other talented Chilean artists in Australia. We look forward to seeing you from the 7th to the 10th of November at Chile Sentido for this unique experience.
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