DESIGN EDUCATION

My educational practice brings together higher education, industry and community partnerships through collaborative, practice-based learning. Working across the UK and Sri Lanka, I have developed creative learning programmes that connect students with real-world projects, cultural heritage and contemporary design practice.

AOD International Design Campus

Programme Leader & Lecturer

BA (Hons) Fashion Design & Textiles and Fashion Marketing in partnership with Northumbria University, UK

Between 2012–2014 and 2018–2021, I led the BA (Hons) Fashion Design & Textiles and Fashion Marketing programmes at AOD International Design Campus in Colombo. Alongside teaching and curriculum development, I coordinated programme delivery, supported students through mentoring and developed collaborative projects that connected higher education with the garment manufacturing industry and artisan communities.

Collaborative Design Projects Partnerships:

A key aspect of my teaching was developing live industry collaborations that enabled students to work alongside leading apparel manufacturers and design professionals. These projects encouraged students to apply design thinking within commercial contexts while understanding innovation, sustainability and global manufacturing practices. Design project partnerships I have developed, led and taught include working with apparel manufacturers:

Brandix

MAS Holdings - Nike Innovation

Hirdaramani - Sustainable Denim Jeans

Linea Aqua - Swimwear

InQube - Performance Innovation

Triumph - Lingerie

Archroma X Society of Dyers and Colorists Live Industry Project

A sustainable performance wear collection designed for Addidas.

Working with The Society of Dyers & Colorists and Archroma, students explored sustainable colour systems and responsible textile innovation through an industry-led design brief. The collaboration introduced students to contemporary challenges within textile manufacturing while encouraging experimentation with colour, material performance and sustainable design thinking.

10 Level 5 students on the BA (Hons) Fashion Marketing course were selected to present at the Sri Lankan heats of the 2019 The Society of Dyers & Colorists and The Colour Atlas by Archroma International Design Competition. Students Reena Kahandawala, Nipuna Rajapakse and Hafiya Moulana (Photos below) won the local rounds with Reanna selected to participate in the global finals in China.