Alberta Bucciarelli Stournaras graduated from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) with a Bachelor of Design in Fashion and Textiles, Design Honours, and a Diploma of Innovation.
Now an emerging fashion designer based in Sydney, she is building a creative practice inspired by family, craftsmanship, and innovation in knitwear design.
We spoke to Alberta about discovering her passion for knitwear, studying fashion at UTS, and developing OCEANA, her fully knitted graduate collection that will debut at Australian Fashion Week 2026.
How did your passion for fashion begin?
I’m a 21-year-old emerging fashion designer based in Sydney. I learnt to knit and crochet at three years old from my Italian Nonna, and I’ve always known I wanted to do something creative. It’s incredibly special that what began as a childhood hobby is now my career, and that I’m able to honour her through my work and my craft every day.
Why did you choose to study fashion at UTS?
I always knew I wanted to pursue something creative, but I didn’t initially realise it could be a viable career. In Year 10, when I was choosing my subjects for year 11 and 12, I went around to all the local unis. I still remember walking into the textile labs at UTS, and it just felt right.
At the time, the ATAR for fashion was 98.85, which felt daunting, but that moment gave me a clear goal. A lot of hard work during the HSC helped me get into my dream course at my dream university.
What was one of the most memorable experiences during your degree?
One of the most memorable experiences was completing the Global Studio subject in Hong Kong with Dr Doris Li.
We visited the Shima Seiki Innovation Lab, yarn factories, and textile suppliers, and saw first-hand how advanced the knitwear industry is outside Australia. That experience deeply inspired me to pursue knitwear in my Honours year and beyond.
I had always had an element of knit in my collections, but never an entire collection made from knit. It also exposed me to the relationship between knitwear design and textile design, which became the central focus of my practice.
The timing was perfect. This was my final subject before Honours, so I was able to apply everything I learnt from that experience, and over the past three years, into developing a fully knitted collection.
Can you tell us about your collection, OCEANA?
OCEANA is an entirely Shima Seiki knitted collection that celebrates our ocean's own artistry.
It’s an ode to Mother Earth's untamed radiance, and the natural wonders that define Australia's oceanic identity.
All the textile prints are based on my hand drawn oil pastel studies of aposematic sea life native to Australia, then they were translated into jacquard knit for the collection.
My collection pioneers industry-first knit structures and techniques, pushing beyond traditional flat knits into sculptural forms and playful textures. Each piece demonstrates that knitwear can be bold, dynamic, and fashion-forward.
OCEANA positions knitwear at the forefront of Australian fashion, spotlighting the vibrant beauty of our marine life, reminding us that the planet's most mesmerising creations are worth protecting.
I still remember walking into the textile labs at UTS, and it just felt right.
How did studying at UTS shape your creative practice?
I never imagined creating a fully knitted collection. I always imagined sewing with woven fabrics, but that never felt quite right for me, so UTS helped me rediscover my love for knitwear and helped me realise that I can design in this space rather than knitting just being a hobby.
There’s so much left unexplored in the Australian knit industry. Everything feels so new and innovative in this space. Design feels more intuitive now rather than asking for permission.
What was the fashion course like at UTS?
The course is incredibly hands on and requires a lot of time, commitment, and energy. It asks for real dedication and sometimes sacrifice.
It provides strong foundational knowledge of the fashion industry, but it also encourages you to take initiative, finding internships, gaining industry experience, and discovering your own direction.
For me, that was so valuable. By the time I graduated, I not only had a degree but also industry experience and a clear understanding of what I wanted, and what I didn’t want, from a career in fashion.
What’s next
Alberta makes her debut at Australian Fashion Week 2026. Read more via Fashion Journal.