Radix Collection (RX)
Jane Radix has a secret. The medical writer is really a fashionista and local art collector who lives in the Edge District of downtown St. Pete who followed her hair stylist from Brooklyn to St. Pete in 2005. The local art scene captured her imagination, and she began to meet artists contributing to the growth of the vibrant community we enjoy today. “During the pandemic, I enjoyed the online art shows hosted by Chad Mize and added to my art collection. Then I had an epiphany. Why not help artists survive uncertain times?” And Radix Collection (RX) was born.
As the Principal and Curator, Jane works with local artists to design and sell sustainable, print-on-demand artwear that features their work online at RadixCollection.com, sharing 50% of the profit. She debuts three artists every fall and spring. Spring 2023 featured Chad Mize, Mark Williams and Wasil available through mid-Oct., then a Best of Spring 2023 will be available such as swimsuits. Fall 2023 will showcase Derek Donnelly, Kris Meenan and Saumitra and feature more street designs; think hoodies, raincoats, cozy bathrobes for all body types.
Her mission? “I’d like to bring a piece of the art scene that makes Tampa Bay so special to fans as wearable art, so wherever they go wearing RX, they bring the art scene and its energy with them and builds a bigger fan base for the artists.”
Fashion shows and art markets expand the fashion line and artists’ footprint, with a fall/winter show. “We had a great start with a poolside fashion show at The Wet Spot in downtown St Pete. Twenty-one models, mostly local artists and some local business owners and workers walked the runway, bringing incredible energy and their own unique style to complement the designs,” says Radix.
The design process is collaborative. “Since we are working with print-on-demand items that start out white and are produced through one-off all-over printing, we look at available items and marry them with the artwork. If I am aware of existing work that I think will present well on clothing I will make a recommendation, sometimes we will work together to explore work I have never seen, and other times the artist will design specifically for the clothing.”
Radix works with a sustainable manufacturer that works out of a single factory in the UK called CONTRADO.
“They are committed to minimizing environmental impact and drop ship items directly to customers in less than two weeks,” she says.
Support an artist and give that iconoclast in your life a unique Tampa Bay design from The Arts Coast. RadixCollection.com Instagram @radixcollectionofficial
Designs by Kris Meenan. Photos by Stephanie Agudelo.