Rio has been rusting and dying textiles since 2001. ‘With a foundation as a visual artist’ she has shown in various galleries across the country. Blending her love of the natural world and her fascination with historical undergarments she has transformed her textile designs into delicate lingerie.
R.A.W. was started in 2007 as an experiment of technique and social acceptance and has now grown into a full time love and mission to share her vision and techniques with the world.
Rio’s original approach is to use dyes that come from the earth such as iron, insects, and plants. Several of the plants and berries used are grown in her garden. She also uses rust and copper objects to create pattern and color on the luxurious silks. additionally Rio uses Shibori, an ancient Japanese resist technique, to add pattern and dimension.
Iron is the main dye used in combination with mordants and other dyes to achieve a range of oranges, grays, purples, and black. the other dyes such as madder root , cochineal, pomegranate, osage orange, achieve beautiful jewel tones. While copper patination is used to achieve greens and golden shades.
R.A.W. Textiles strives to help pave the way to a sustainable future by being conscience of the dyes, fabrics and production methods used.