Gamergirls

Phi : Illuminated Design is a new-media collective focusing on performance, wearable art, and wearable technology. Interested in the crossroads between art, fashion, and technology, Phi is constantly seeking methods and media that engage and empower cultural participants through technology. Members Stacey Morgan and Kenzie Housego met while attending the Alberta College of Art and design, where they both received their Bachelors of Fine Art. In 2013 Kenzie and Stacey began collaborating on their first wearable tech collection Illuminated Vintage for the MakeFashion 2014 runway show. This collective featured bright retro dress forms, and accessories, that all react to, sound, touch, movement, or the wearer’s heartbeat. This first MakeFashion runway event was extremely impactful on both artists; in fostering an enthusiasm for fashion technology, exposing them to ‘Maker Culture’ and introducing technology as a new attainable art making medium.

Phi’s third member Sophie Amin join the collective in 2015 and brings to the team over 4 years of experience as an Electronics Technologist as well as a shared passion for leveraging new technological tools to facilitate visual expression and participant engagement. Makefashion has allowed her to build her design experience and challenge her in new ways that wouldn’t be possible in a traditional electronics R&D environment.Since 2014, Phi Illuminated Design with MakeFashion has had the opportunity to showcase their performative wearable art/tech collections nationally and internationally at Beakerhead festival in Calgary, Rome MakerFaire, MakerFaire Bay Area in California, Fashionware New York, CES Vegas, Xiamen Fashion Week, China, and at a two-week art residency in Shenzhen, China.