I am Sophia Johanna Ingham, sustainable fashion designer, artist and creator of wearable art.

I run my business, Phia from my lovely new open studio/boutique in Bangor, Gwynedd situated on the Menai Straits and at the foothills of the majestic Snowdonia mountains.

I was born into a very artistic family and spent my childhood creating and crafting, naturally progressing to study Fashion Design and Textiles at Llandrillo College, graduating with distinction from the University of Glamorgan in 2001.

Since then I launched my own business Phia in 2003 and have progressed to studying eco-textiles and traditional skills such as couture, corsetry, millinery, upholstery, weaving, knitting and crochet (to name but a few…) along the way.

Having worked freelance for a couple of designers such as Frocked del la Valliere (based on Anglesey), I gained invaluable knowledge on running a fashion label but sadly witnessed first hand the throwaway nature of the fashion industry: I there and then vowed to use only the finest sustainable, recycled, foraged or waste materials in each individually unique Phia piece I create to the very highest quality! Environmentalism has always been a way of life for me and owning beautiful clothes one treasures is far more rewarding than adhering to disposable trends made from poor quality materials by people in poor conditions.

Over the years I worked with the Welsh Clothing and Textile Association, taking part in their fashion shows and events in London with the London Fashion Forum, Galeri in Caernarfon and at Parc Glynllifon.

In 2016 I facilitated the WRAP Love Your Clothes event in Bangor in association with Bangor University, raising awareness on clothing waste and running up-cycling workshops.

During the event we collected over a tonne of clothes which were then distributed around our partner charities such as Age Cymru, where I held a repairs cafe in store!

The event was a great success and it was lovely to work with such a great bunch of people!

And in March 2019 myself and three local artists opened studio/art gallery Stiwdio 9, initially as a 6 week pop-up which lasted over four years! 

This gave me invaluable retail experience, allowing me to be able to open my own studio/gallery Phia on 8th July 2023.

So if you’re looking for something extra special, or would like me to create you a beautifully unique Bridal gown or a fabulous piece of Phia eco crochet or knitwear, or have a much loved item which deserves a new lease of life, Phia is for you! Just pop into my Phia studio for a chat or get in touch…

Thank you for reading and hope you enjoy my little website!

Phia X