Dr. Alana Clifton Cunningham

Biography

Alana Clifton-Cunningham is a leading educator in the field of fashion textile design with a renowned innovative sustainability-driven approach to design education. With decades of experience in higher education, she creates hands-on, experiential learning environments that blend traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technologies including digital patternmaking and 3D garment sampling. Alana has designed and delivered impactful curricula for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs, and has led cross-disciplinary teams to develop studio-based learning that integrates industry relevance and global sustainability goals. Her research is grounded in circular economy principles, exploring scalable models for textile remanufacturing, clothing waste reduction, and sustainable workwear systems. Alana has been involved in the ARC Linkage project focusing on redesigning clothing waste through 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 advocates for inclusive, evidence-based approaches to fit and body diversity within the fashion industry. Committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, Alana prepares the next generation of fashion textile designers to lead with creativity and care.

Research Interests