Ms Alana Clifton-Cunningham
Lecturer
2021 | 91É«ÇéƬ - Learn to Lead: Progress Needs Resilient Leaders
2019 | UTS - Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Transdisciplinary Learning
2008 | 91É«ÇéƬ (COFA) - Master of Design (Hons) Research, Supervisor Liz Williamson
2002 | UTS - Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Teaching and Learning
2001 | TAFE - Diploma of Marketing Management
1993 | UTS - Bachelor of Design (Hons) (Fashion and Textile Design)
Arts, Design & Architecture (ADA)
School of Art & Design
Alana Clifton-Cunningham is a leading educator and academic in fashion and textile design, renowned for her innovative and sustainability-driven approach to design education. With over two decades of experience in higher education, she creates hands-on, experiential learning environments that blend traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technologies such as digital patternmaking and 3D garment sampling.
Alana has designed and delivered impactful curricula across undergraduate and postgraduate programs and has led cross-disciplinary teams in developing studio-based learning that integrates industry relevance with global sustainability goals. She has also led international global studios, including immersive programs in India, where students collaborate with artisans to explore cultural textile practices and sustainable design in context.
Her extensive industry network—including partnerships with major fashion labels—brings real-world insight into the classroom, equipping students to thrive in contemporary design practice.
Grounded in circular economy principles, Alana’s research explores scalable models for textile remanufacturing, clothing waste reduction, and sustainable workwear systems. She is involved in an ARC Linkage project Redesigning Clothing Waste Using a Circular Design Framework, collaborating with national stakeholders to reshape the future of garment production. She also maintains an active interest in clothing sizing issues and standards in Australia, advocating for more inclusive and evidence-based approaches to fit and body diversity in the fashion industry.
Her commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion underpins her leadership and teaching, making her a strong advocate for more accessible and responsible design futures. Alana combines visionary thinking with practical expertise, preparing the next generation of fashion and textile designers to lead with creativity, care, and impact.
E-mail
Location
Corner of Oxford and Greens Road, Paddington, NSW, 2021, Australia
- Publications
- Media
- Grants
- Awards
- Research Activities
- Engagement
- Teaching and Supervision
2026 | Embedding Cultural Awareness into Textiles and Fashion Education - $4,000 (EF Funding)
2024 | Redesigning Clothing Waste Using a Circular Design Framework - LP230200929 $220,473K
2024 | Department of Community and Justice - $17,900
2024 | Education Focussed Community of Practice (PVCESE) - $2,500
2023 | Department of Community and Justice - $15,900
2023 | Education Focussed Community of Practice (PVCESE) - $6,995
2017 | AbbVie Pharmaceutical Pty Ltd, HS Support Garments: Chief Investigator - $35,000
2018 | UTS, DAB Faculty Funding: Garment Pattern Library - $2,500
2012-2018 | New Colombo Plan Funding (DFAT-2012, 2016, 2019, 2021) - $80,000+
Funded Projects
2026 | Cultural Awareness - EF Funding
2024 |ÌýRedesigning Clothing Waste Using a Circular Design Framework -ÌýLP230200929.Ìý
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Books, Publications and Presentations
2026 | Gwilt et al. Cumulus, NZ, Conference,Ìýre:stream: Narratives of fracture and care inÌýpre-consumer clothing waste.
2022 | Clifton-Cunningham and Heffer, Book chapter ‘Crossing the Cultural Aisle: from Australia to India Transforming Studio Learning through Artisan Textile Workshops’ in Crossing the Aisle:ÌýMulti- and Interdisciplinary Collaborations in Education: Research, Models of CollaborativeÌýTeaching, and Sources of Inspiration (ISBN 9781789386349, Intellect Publishers).
2019 | Clifton et al. UIIN conference ‘Transdisciplinary learning: Transformative collaborationsÌýbetween students, industry, academia and communities’ UTS.
2018 | Clifton-Cunningham, A, Craft Research Journal ‘MAAS, Out of Hand’, (ISSN: 20404689).
2018 | Clifton-Cunningham, A,Ìý‘A brief history of briefs – and how technology is transformingÌýunderpants’ in The Conversation (70,000+ reads).
2013 | Knitwear Design, Carol Brown, Lawrence King Publishers (ISBN 978-1780670584).
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Exhibitions and NTO
2026 |ÌýWangaratta Petites Miniature Textiles, selected (Finalist)
2021 | Second Look, Barometer Gallery, Paddington. 2021 Sydney Design Week (Invited artist)
2020 | Wangaratta Petites. 3 works of 52 selected (Finalist)
2018 | Seoul International Fashion Art Biennale (South Korea – Guest international artist)
2017 | Seed Stitch Collective: Wonderment, Gaffa Gallery (Group exhibition)
2017 | Wangaratta Contemporary Textile Award 2017 (Peer-reviewed national textile exhibition: 3ÌýJune-6 August 2017)
2016 | Seoul International Fashion Art Biennale (South Korea – Guest international artist)
2016 | Seed Stitch Collective: Light, Barometer Gallery, Paddington (Group exhibition)
2016 | Meroogal Women’s Art Prize 2016, Meroogal (Sydney Living Museums), Nowra (Finalist)
2016 | Out of Hand: Materialising the Digital, MAAS, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney (Selected artist)
2016 | Seed Stitch: Inaugural Contemporary Textile Exhibition, Warringah Creative Space, Warringah,NSW (Peer-reviewed)
2015 | Wangaratta Contemporary Textile Award – (Peer-reviewed national textile exhibition: 13ÌýJune-26 July 2015)
2014 | 2nd Tamworth Textile Triennial (Peer-reviewed national textile exhibition) - National tour
2024 | South Australian Government, Department for Education, Uniform Project - Advisory panel.
2024 | Honeysuckle Innovation Labs in Newcastle - industry participation at the NSW Smart SensingÌýTextile Waste recovery workshop.
2023 | Journal of Textile Design Research and Practice - Guest reviewer.
2023 | Port Stephens Art Prize – Textile Art Prize Judge.
2022 |ÌýWorkwear Garments and Perceptions Around the Circular Economy -Ìýrecruitment and interviewing suitable national manufacturing specialists working inÌývarious sectors of the garment manufacturing industry. Collaborative workshop withÌýProfessor Jacqueline Cramer, Chair of the Holland Circular Hotspot (Former Minister forÌýthe Environment) and national industry specialists.
2022 |ÌýAddressing Clothing Production Waste: A Textile RemanufactureÌýFramework for Local Designers and Producers - recruitment and interviewing suitableÌýnational manufacturing specialists working in various sectors of the garmentÌýmanufacturing industry (HC No: HC200236).
2022 | CSIRO/91É«ÇéƬ Threads + Opportunities: Science engineering sustainable fibres, for closing theÌýloop in Australia Symposium/Student Pitchathon - Organising member.
2015-2019 | Sydney Living Museums (SLM)-Site Manager for Sydney Open annual event.
2010 | Leading Expert Witness: Spruson and Ferguson IP Lawyers: Speedo alleges infringement of an Australia Innovation Patent.
My Research Supervision
2026 | He, Reimagining Design approaches to FosterÌýTextile Up-cycling in a Circular EconomyÌý(secondary supervisor)
2026 | Giblin, Design for Enduring Use and Connection: Translating Attributes of a Long-Loved Garment into an Upcycled GarmentÌý(co-supervision)
2024 | Chevalier, Rethinking Knitting (co-supervision)
2015 | Lantry (co-supervisor), Artisan Culture: Rethinking Sustainability throughÌýCollaborative Exchange between Emerging Australian Designers and Indian Artisans inÌýFashion and Textiles.
2015 | Mazouer (co-supervisor), Shaping textiles: An Investigation from Two-dimensional Surfaces to Three-dimensional Spatial Organisations.
2013 | Vaughan (primary supervisor), Clothing Comfort, Health and Wellness in GeneralÌýDuty Police Load Bearing Vests from 2008 to present day.