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Alana Clifton-Cunningham

Adjunct Fellow Fashion and Textile Design University of Technology Sydney, University of Technology Sydney

Alana Clifton-Cunningham is a professional designer of fashion and textiles. Alana is an Adjunct Fellow in fashion and textile design at the University of Technology Sydney and lectures textile design at the University of New South Wales.

Alana's practice-led research focuses on the social, political and symbolic significance of knitwear design within a traditional and contemporary design context. Through challenging assumptions of knitted clothing structures, she examines perceptions of knitting and its relationship to the human body as a second skin.

Alana is enthusiastic about collaborations with alternative design disciplines and is interested in new technologies and methodologies including the potential opportunities connecting between health, fashion and textiles.

Through her numerous Higher Degree graduates, Alana has established design-led research integrating innovative practices and methodologies with theoretical frameworks.

Alana has presented and published nationally and internationally-
UNSW Art&Design, NSW
Nottingham Trent, UK
RMIT Melbourne, Auckland University of Technology New Zealand
Curtin University, WA
York University, Canada
Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.

2018, A brief history of briefs – and how technology is transforming underpants (The Conversation)

2022, Clifton-Cunningham A & Heffer C, ‘Crossing the Cultural Aisle: from Australia to India transforming studio learning through artisan textile workshops’ in Crossing the Aisle: Multi- and Interdisciplinary Collaborations in Education: Research, Models of Collaborative Teaching, and Sources of inspiration (Intellect Publishers)

Alana continues to work collaboratively on various projects and exhibits her work nationally and internationally.

Experience

  • 2000–present
    Lecturer, University of Technology Sydney

Education

  • 2008 
    University of New South Wales, Master of Design (Hons)
  • 1993 
    University of Technology Sydney, Bachelor of Design (Fashion and Textiles)