Shannon of PolyMath Design Lab  is a 30-year old designer in Oregon and a follower if I Heart Switch. I found her through her comments on this blog and was just facinated by what I found. Not only is she a talented designer in jewelry and unique products, Shannon has been playing around with her first electronic skirt (as you see above). I decided we must interview Shannon and let everyone on Switch see what an amazing project can be done by a first time electronic fashion crafter. The interview, video of the skirt, and more images are after the Break.

Wow, not only did Canada kick our butts on the ice, they are doing it in Fashion Technology too. Don’t believe me, take a look at these gorgeous lighted fabrics and this dress from Karma Chameleon.

(Above: one of Spiral Magazine's Animated Avatars by Designers Reed + Rader)

Augmented Reality or AR is a term for for "a live direct or indirect view of a physical real-world environment whose elements are merged with (or augmented by) virtual computer-generated imagery - creating a mixed reality."

Diana Eng's Fairytale Fashion Show from iHeartSwitch on Vimeo.

Wednesday night at Eyebeam Art and Technology Center, Diana Eng showcased her Fairytale Fashon Show with soft glowing dresses, twinkling skirts, modular oragami shapes, and a lighted balloon releasing gown.

Diana Eng is "using technology to turn make-believe into reality" at her Fairytale Fashion Show at Eyebeam in NYC tomorrow night. Diana, who has recently been seen geeking out with ham radios, has also been reporting on the process of the fashion show on CRAFT and Make since last Friday. She's been coordinating and working on the project with the help of Eyebeam a Art and Technology Center and few very talented techies. I am really looking forward to it. I'll be there tweeting as the models hit the runway, so be sure to stay tuned to my tweets from switchGirl.

"Everything has an end. The cycle of life is a positive thing because it gives room for new things to come." - McQueen

It has been almost two weeks since I learned about Alexander McQueen's tragic suicide. When it happened, I didn't want to blog about it because it felt too personal and deeply depressing. For me, iHeartSwitch is about moving forward with technology in a positive light, not mourning the past. But sometimes, you have to acknowledge and share your pain in order to move past it. I am lucky enough to have a venue to do that and I know many of you were also deeply shocked and hurt by his passing as well, so you won’t mind if I get a little personal.

It may be hard to believe but during the 50s and 60s blow-up bras were manufactured and sold to the mass market by Frederick's of Hollywood ("make the most of you") and Très Secrète ("the most inspired of the sweet feminine deceptions"). Mercifully, they were long buried in the dustbin of history—right where they belong. That is, until a 21st century Chinese company got "inspired" and decided to revive the idea that refuses to go flat (sorry).

It's Fashion Week 2010 and the signature cool and futuristic cozy style of Rodarte hit the runway with beautiful glowing heels. Come back at 6:00 P.M. EST and I'll show you how to make your own little lighted darlings. Images from HighSnobette and theFrisky