Ana Oliveira da Cunha

Doctoral Researcher, London College of Fashion (UAL) | Craft, Territory & Relational Sustainability | Fashion Futures MA | Sustainable Fashion Practitioner

London, England, United Kingdom

About

I work at the intersection of fashion, craft, and sustainability, focused on how intergenerational craft knowledge, passed down through communities can inform more relational, grounded approaches to fashion's future. I hold an MA in Fashion Futures from London College of Fashion, UAL, and begin a PhD there in September 2026. My research examines craft as a form of fashion epistemology, working with communities in São Paulo state through a practice-based research methodology. My background spans slow fashion (founder, Love My 30s), curatorial work with Brazilian artisanal brands in London (Capitu Curators, Sol of London), and contributions to the Decolonising Fashion and Textiles project, with outputs exhibited at the V&A and the Barbican. I'm interested in fashion as a site of connection between heritage, territory, and sustainability, and in making space for forms of knowledge that fashion education doesn't always recognise as expertise.

Experience

  • Workshop Facilitator at Climate Ed
    Apr 2025 - Present · 1 yr 4 mos

    Delivered a series of five interactive workshops to primary school students, educating and inspiring them to take climate action through reducing carbon footprints and adopting sustainable lifestyles.

  • Sales and Operations Associate at Hello Reflectives
    Jun 2023 - Feb 2024 · 9 mos

    As a Sales and Operations Associate at a vibrant online special fabrics shop, I played a crucial part in ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. My responsibilities spanned order management, inventory maintenance, packing and shipping, and customer service, all of which contributed to an excellent customer experience and efficient shop functionality.

  • Founder at Capitu Curators
    May 2021 - Apr 2023 · 2 yrs

    Capitu Curators is one of my projects that showcases unique garments made using traditional craft work and artisanal techniques from Brazilian artisans and handmade fashion designers. The project was very successful upon launch in 2021 and nearly sold out when we had a pop-up shop at a fair in London. We are planning another appearance at a London pop-up fair in summer 2023.

  • Founder at Love My 30s
    Mar 2016 - Dec 2021 · 5 yrs 10 mos

    I founded Love my 30s, a slow fashion atelier, where I designed and sewed garments myself with the help of my partner. I created a loyal customer base by offering customised garments at an affordable price. When I moved to London, I had to adjust the business model and started releasing collections sporadically. In my last campaign, I organised a fundraising event for a care home in my hometown.

  • Product Manager at 29 HORAS Mídia Aeroportuária
    Jun 2011 - Dec 2014 · 3 yrs 7 mos

    As a media campaign planner and deployment manager at an airport media agency, I liaised with marketing and advertising agencies to plan and deploy media campaigns. I was responsible for coordinating with operational teams to deploy on-site structures for each campaign. I also traveled across Brazil to support our various teams in the regions. In addition, I managed a team of three.