Deb Cumming is a fashion researcher and academic at the College of Creative Arts, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand. Her research is aligned with an increasing field of sustainable fashion design practice with technical design applications that address broader social and cultural issues.
The central focus of her research is alternative apparel design pattern methods. Practice-based research investigates the development of one-piece pattern design through adaptive drape and digital technologies to advance apparel design and manufacturing processes. Research areas extends to commercial application with design consultancy, product development and community workshops.
Current academic practices move across both undergraduate and postgraduate within the fashion and design field and examination of postgraduate candidate projects, in particular, creative practice-led, or research by project degrees.