Zombie Boy

The Zombie Boy LIVE IN AUSTRIA in April 2013 at WILDSTYLE & TATTOO CONVENTION:

Europe’s most successful and spectacular Tattoo-Show!!

6th & 7th of April, Vienna - Planet.tt / Gasometer

13th & 14th of April, Salzburg - Sporthalle Alpenstrasse

20th & 21st of April, Innsbruck - Messehalle 4

Details: Check out www.wildstyle.at

Click here to download Brochure 

Fresh off his controversial settlement with Fox TV’s American Horror Story, the tattooed model named Rick Genest aka The Zombie Boy hit New York Fashion Week as a special guest. Instead of stalking the runways, ‘The Walking Dead Guy’ joined the living and sat front row while he gasped at the collections offered by today’s hottest designers. Drop dead gorgeous models paraded down the runway as Zombie shot wicked smiles of approval.

At the last minute Zombie’s manager Colin Singer called me and said, “Rico The Zombie want to do Fashion Week.” So I dug up wardrobe and scheduled The Zombie Boy to see the hottest shows in town. Flying from Zurich to New York, Zombie literally landed in the middle of a fashion week whirlwind. After clearing US Customs, the Canadian-born Supermodel was whisked into Manhattan via Town Car, devoured half of a sandwich, guzzled down two Red Bulls, chomped on a pack of Twizzlers and we were off to the Timo Weiland show. “I love this outfit I am wearing because it reminds me of a funeral.” The Zombie was commenting on the ‘Black Rose’ slacks and shirt ensemble with skinny tie and black ankle boots.

The ‘Modified Model’ entered the Plaza at Lincoln Center and it was a media blitz as camera flashes, cell phone clad fans and paparazzi all pounced at once. Fans surrounded Zombie from all sides. They came in wheelchairs, tattooed teens showed their ink, models posed with him and shocked onlookers all jumped in to get a picture of the fashion freak. After being escorted to his seat, the atmosphere inside was just as hectic as photographers and camera crews stepped up to get their pound of flesh. Rico The Zombie was photographed from every conceivable angle. For those who could not shoot his face, they were more than happy to take pictures of his ear and the back of his bug infested, tattooed head as he gave sound bites to the media.

 Next, we popped into to Betsey Johnson’s show and the impish model was literally dressed to kill with crystal and ruby tipped knives in hand along with a dangerously spiked and plumed army jacket with blood splattered spiked boots. Zombie Boy stabbed, slashed and growled for photographers like Patrick McMullen. Zombie blended into the circus-like atmosphere. In true Betsey Johnson style the décor was full of festive metallic streamers, hot pink glitter and everything sparkly. And of course when Betsey throws a fashion show, she attracts over-the-top guests like Wendy Williams. Ok… Williams’ staff snubbed us and did not allow Rico The Zombie Boy to take a photo with the Queen of Gossip, but we shook off the celebrity diss, hit the road, changed clothes in the car and jumped out in full Blond regalia. It was time for Rico The Zombie to meet the real life Barbie doll, Phillipe Blond and his partner David Blond. No longer living in Gaga’s shadow, Zombie Boy now sits front row and rubs elbows with noted guest who all marveled at his impressive ink. Wearing a spike printed jacket and pants designed by David and Phillipe Blond themselves. Zombie Boy whispered, “I feel like I am home”. The Zombie Boy was photographed with everyone from Transsexual Supermodel, Amanda Lepore, American Idol’s Adam Lambert, Playboy model-turned-designer Coco Johnsen, buffed celebrity photographer Mike Ruiz, Top Model alum Jay Manuel and Paris Hilton who joined Zombie in a sword fight photo op. Fashion Titans Roger Padilha and Mauricio Padilha who head up MAO PR and manage The Blonds, checked in to see if the tattooed wonder was settled. The lights went down and to the music of JAWS, Phillipe Blond stomped the runway in killer shark corset with ruby jewels and crystal accents to resemble blood. Zombie waved his faux blood tipped knives at Phillipe as he zipped by.

With a glance of approval, The Zombie Boy enjoyed his first New York Fashion Week and spent the evening slashing away at every celebrity in his path. Watch out Wendy Williams… Zombie is dying to sink his teeth into you!

Photographer John Mayes follows Zombie’s Stylish bug infested head at the Timo Weiland show.

Front Row at Timo weiland Zombie Boy and Ty-Ron Mayes.

Zombie Boy stalks the Betsey Johnson Show

Zombie Boy growls at Amanda Lepore and Stylist Ty-Ron Mayes

Zombie Boy thinks American Idol Alum Adam Lambert is …to die for.

Front Row at The Blonds: Zombie Boy, Ty-Ron Mayes, Coco Johnsen and Colin Singer.

Paris Hilton and Zombie… “That’s HOT!” @ The Blonds Show SS2013

Real Life Barbie Phillipe Blond poses with David Blond and Rico The Zombie

Mauricio Padilha saves Amanda Lepore from The Zombie Boy! Photo: Mauricio Padilha

Source: http://celebrityfashionstylist.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/zombie-boy-takes-a-bite-out-of-fashion/

You’re probably already familiar with Rick Genest (<insert ‘AKA Zombie Boy’ here>). With an unforgettable look and enviable contacts, Rick is on his way to becoming a bona fide pop culture icon, not only for the fashion industry but for early 21st Century culture in general. Anyway, let’s not get bogged down in semiotics. Amongst many many other projects, Rick is now working with streetwear giants Rocawear as their European face for SS13. We caught up with him to discuss the project and see what else he’s been up to…

PlanetNotion: How’s it feel to be the face of Rocawear Europe SS13?

Rick Genest: Growing up in the city as a teenager, I had always embraced urban culture/lifestyle/clothing. It is a great honor to rep what I eat, and breathe, and bleed for as long as I have. I’m excited to be involved with the re-launch of Rocawear across Europe for Spring Summer ’13.

PN: What’s your favourite piece in the SS13 collection and why?

RG: My favorite piece in the SS13 collection would be either the oxblood shoes or the blue suede shoes. It’s pretty tough to beat the king!

PN: Rocawear has fairly strong musical associations – what music do you personally enjoy? What’s your favourite album of all-time?

RG: My favorite album of all time would be too hard to choose. As an adolescent I knew Marilyn Manson Anti-Christ Superstar off by heart. I deeply respect Dead Prez, Kenny Arkana, Immortal Technique, Jedi Mind Tricks… mostly revolutionary bands. Also some fun music like Lil Boozie, Madchild… Right now I’m listening to Billy Woods; depth full spoken word artist. Check him out!!

PN: You’ve been spoken about working on music yourself. How has this been going? Have you made any progress?

RG: Well, I always have bits and pieces here and there as a personal hobby. I am scheduled to hit the studio this upcoming January 2013!

PN: What initially inspired you to begin tattooing yourself and to see it through to this extent?

RG: At the age of 17, I was given the name ‘Zombie’ particularly due to my medical history, interests in music, movies and apparel. The origins of the zombie creature came about from stories of people being buried alive in times of plagues and such crisis; that would come out the other side ‘transformed’. In my life, this was true to me. Growing up as an urban teenager, alongside many molded; this life style was the origin of my bodysuit. Surviving through hardships, such as poverty and illness; derived my anarchistic transitive pictograph verbalization to the world.

The common thought of zombies too many, represents a pervasive xenophobia. As in my life, I was often out-casted, hated or misunderstood for being so. The zombie concept is also often used as a metaphor for runaway consumerism. This is the idea that we live through the notions without reflecting, as a commercially programmed bio-organism. Rebelling from this notion is the very meaning of punk; defining the tenuous line between civilization and barbarism. Understanding that the first step to anarchy is defiance; the notion of being alive while dead, is defiance to the very laws of nature itself.

At the age of 16, I got my first tattoo, a skull & crossbones. Historically, the flag was flown to identify a ship’s crew as pirates. Its purpose was to frighten pirates’ victims into surrendering without a fight, since it conveyed the message that the attackers were outlaws who would not consider themselves bound by the usual rules of engagement—and might, therefore, slaughter those they defeated. “A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within” – William James Durant

PN: Did you ever see yourself garnering the fame you have for your appearance? Has it been a gratifying experience?

RG: Being tattooed as a living skeleton, I found work in stage shows, carnivals, landed small parts on TV, as well as movies (‘Carney’ staring Lou Diamond Phillips; ‘47Ronin’ starring Keanu Reeves, release 2013). I had worked at a pirate themed bar, and had been published in many magazines. One of which, I was invited to model for a fashion magazine named Dressed to Kill. This was the shoot that got the attention of Nicola Formichetti. Thierry Mugler is the brand name that Nicola Formichetti hired me to work for, and soon after, an appearance in Lady Gaga’s ‘Born this Way’ video. Ever since, I’ve been world traveling. I was presented with two Guinness World Records, transformed into museum life-size replicas, as well as shrunk into an action figure. Alongside modeling, I’ve been keeping busy cat walking at fashion shows, making TV appearances, and lately started to DJ parties globally as well.

PN: Have you planned any further collaborations with Lady Gaga? If so, can you reveal any details about these?

RG: Gonna have to wait and see!

PN: You’ve done a lot of circus work in the past: What drew you to this line of work? Have you always been an admirer of the circus?

RG: Yes, I’ve participated in and love circus programs; they’re a great way to stay in shape and discover/ develop character personality, as well as a great teamwork apprenticeship. I’ve been a self declared freak show and side show performer; I worked at a carnival as a summer job and spent many years as an underground artist. I love horror and oddities, and have always had an eye out for anything weird and unusual.

PN: What does the future hold for you? You’ve pursued a pretty eclectic path so far, what would you like to do next

RG: Well, asides from working on music, I want to creep my way into horror movies. I have my eye on Ghostbusters 3. I’m currently in discussion with Director Sam Irvin for a possible role in an interesting film. I am open to most productions, if ever the opportunity slithers by.

Interview by Alex Gladwin

www.rocawearbrand.co.uk

Source: http://www.planetnotion.com/2012/12/19/interview-rick-genest/

Rick “Zombie Boy” Genest has led an unconventional life, to say the least. We caught up with Lady Gaga’s comrade-in-arms to talk about being the new face of Rocawear and his philosophy on life.

Since you have become famous, have people’s reactions to you on the street changed?

Well, first some things stayed the same. My life style was already nomadic, living out of my backpack; working odd jobs, meeting cool people, as well as often being stopped and photographed. This hasn’t changed. What changed was the masses’ reaction to me. Prior, I had my place amongst those who understood me and had the luxury of privacy. Now I often feel that every walk of life either has a question or an opinion about the way I breathe air – although I do seize this opportunity to raise awareness for tolerance, acceptance and embracing our differences.

What’s the philosophy behind your tattoos?

The zombie concept is also often used as a metaphor for runaway consumerism. Rebelling from this notion is the very meaning of punk. The origins of the zombie creature came about from stories of people being buried alive in times of plagues and such crises; that would come out the other side ‘transformed’. Zombies, to many, represent a pervasive xenophobia. As in my life, I was often out-casted, hated or misunderstood.

You’ve just become the face of Rocawear. Can you tell us more about that?

Growing up in the city as a teenager, I have always embraced urban culture and style. It is a great honor to represent what I live, breathe, and bleed for as long as I have. I’m excited to be involved with Rocawear’s re-launch across Europe for Spring Summer ’13.

You and your art have become synonymous with Lady Gaga. How do you feel about that?

I would defiantly have to say that we both share love for art, the love for revolution, and fearlessness of self-expression.

You’ve recently filmed a part in 47 Ronin with Keanu Reeves, is acting something you have always wanted to do?

Since my childhood, I had a profound interest in pirates. I recall in particular the movie Hook, starring Robin Williams, as well as pirate LEGO. As life went on, I had spent the greater part of my time living in likeness to the lost boys and pirates.

What would be your ideal film role?

I’ve had a chance to play as a punk rocker, a carnie and a pirate. My ideal film role yet would be as a deranged psycho in a horror picture.

Are you planning on any more tattoos?

I’m still working on my tattoo project. As well as finishing my bodysuit, I soon wish to sharpen my teeth, with likeness to those of a reptile.

What do you have planned for 2013?

In 2013, I will be starting to work on a music project, but more details would ruin the surprise!

Words: Siobhan Frew

www.rocawearbrand.co.uk

http://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2012/12/zombie-boy-rick-genest-rocawear-interview/

Rick "Zombie Boy" Genest drops by The Ric & Suzanne Show!

Posted By: CJAD 800 · 11/30/2012 11:37:00 AM

Actor, artist and model Rick "Zombie Boy" Genest, best known for performing with Lady Gaga, joined Ric & Suzanne today for a chat about bullying and tolerance.

Rick is tattooed over 80% of his body, and the ink is made to have him look like a corpse. Earlier this week, the Montrealer spoke to Marymount High School students about being comfortable in their own skin.

Listen to the chat by clicking here

photo: Terry Richardson

Photograph by:  Dave Sidaway, The Gazette

MONTREAL — Sounding younger than his 27 years, Zombie Boy, a.k.a. Rick Genest from Châteauguay, told Marymount Academy students Tuesday that it is “not very nice” to make fun of each other for being different. “We’re all different,” said Genest, who was at the English School Board of Montreal high school to urge students to stand up to bullying.

“Being pushed around is not cool, whether it’s at school, on the street or at work,” said the heavily tattooed model who appeared last year in Lady Gaga’s video Born This Way. Zombie Boy was also on hand to film an anti-bullying commercial.

In a classroom at the N.D.G. school that had more media present than students, Genest was asked several times if he had taken up the cause of combating bullying because he himself had been bullied in school. Genest replied by saying: “I’m kind of different and I feel like I’m in a good place to tell people not to judge others because of their appearance.” He said even before his tattoos, he was always “different,” and his mother could attest to that.

Marymount students Nicolas Trotman, 17, Massimo Di Iorio, 16, and Shakeira Bernicky, also 16, said they liked having Genest speak out against bullying. “He’s really cool, he’s really original,” said Trotman, a Grade 11 student. The three students said bullying was not a problem at their school. “We’re a close-knit family,” said Bernicky. Di Iorio added: “The school has a good program in place against bullying.”

Marymount Academy’s progress against bullying makes it a bright light in an otherwise grim provincial picture. A Léger Marketing poll published last week found that close to 40 per cent of the 652 adult Quebecers surveyed feel that bullying is on the rise. The Nov. 5-8 poll was conducted for Association for Canadian Studies and the organization ENSEMBLE, whose anti-bullying program is presented yearly in 80 schools across the province. Anne Lagacé Dowson, head of the not-for-profit group, said: “What is most alarming is our discovery that bullying leaves victims feeling paralyzed. Most people who report being bullied also report that they did nothing about the incident.”

Among young people, age 18 to 24, more than one in four reported being bullied frequently, the study found. Women were three times more likely to be insulted over their physical appearance than men. Lagacé Dowson said that among schoolchildren, many say they already know that bullying is a bad thing, but what they lack are tools to deal with it.

In Ottawa on Nov. 22, meanwhile, the Harper government defeated an anti-bullying motion from NDP backbencher Dany Morin, 26, the openly gay MP for Chicoutimi-Le Fjord. A Canadian study in 2009 found that gay and lesbian students are far more frequently bullied than heterosexual students, both verbally and physically.

After last week’s vote, Morin said the government had “missed an opportunity to take a leadership role in the fight against bullying.” Morin’s motion called for the creation of a national anti-bullying strategy. The federal government is holding hearings on cyber-bullying, said Lagacé Dowson, adding that her group has accepted an invitation to take part in the hearings. Telecommunications, including the Internet, fall under federal jurisdiction.

Provinces are adopting anti-bullying legislation, with Quebec’s law to prevent and combat bullying and violence in school among the most recent. The bill, which became law in June, requires every school to draw up a plan of action to combat violence and bullying. Schools must also draft a code of conduct.

British Columbia has moved quickly to introduce an anti-bullying program in its schools after the Oct. 10 suicide of 17-year-old Amanda Todd, a Vancouver student who had endured five years of mainly Internet-based bullying.

Photograph by: Dave Sidaway, The Gazette

Everything Jay-Z touches turns to platinum gold. Co-founding hench streetwear label Rocawear a decade ago, netting 700 million per calendar year, he now invites Rico the Zombie to step up and style out the label’s SS13 threads.

Music influences fashion intrinsically and vice versa. Creating clothes with attitude, Rock-a-Fella Records inspired the birth of iconic label Rocawear. Keeping music fundamental to the brand’s core Rocawear continuously looks to lyrics and music-inspired lifestyles to conceive of campaigns and collection concepts. Devised by Damon Dash and Jay-Z, developed as a lifestyle brand for hip hop lovers and street style enthusiasts, Rocawear caters to both men and women. Staying ahead of the game by keeping the brand’s distinct DNA undiluted and entirely trend based, the team behind the label are the best at what they do and Jay-Z is always on play, loud at every shoot. Famous for the statement tees, bombers and snap backs, anyone who chooses to front the RW aesthetic is serious about what they do. i-D went behind the scenes on Rocawear’s SS13 shoot to chat to new face of the label, Rico the Zombie, finding out why he chose to get involved with the brand (see film). Then we took time out with the head of marketing, Iconic Europe for Rocawear, Daisy Laramy-Binks, to find out how she rocks her wears…

Tell us why you have chosen Zombie Boy to be the face of your SS13 collection. What was he like to work with? Following on from our shoot last season with Dynamo Magician, we again wanted to choose a face which carries the message that Rocawear is an innovative, evolving brand. We always try to stay at the cutting edge of streetwear cool and to me no one epitomises innovative street edginess like Rick Genest; he came to mind immediately and I knew that he would be ideal for the campaign. He combines the beauty of a high fashion model with the grittiness which we want to see in a streetwear campaign, elements which fit perfectly with our shoot and its themes of the Double R Club, a gentleman’s club setting and the more down to earth gig/outdoor shots. He looks amazing in both tailored styles and street styles – our collection combines both.

With Jay-Z being a prominent player in the Rocawear brand, what creative input does he have within the curation of each collection? Every Rocawear product is approved by Jay. He has always had a significant input and interest in the brand and nothing is produced without his creative input and approval.

What are the key features of any Rocawear collection? Signature brand detailing include music inspired graphics such as the retro cassette design/ mic graphics on the tees as well as Jay lyrics, a mixture of tailoring and relaxed styling, Brooklyn/Marcy heritage references including references to Americana influences like the Brookyln baseball history, the ’99 established date in graphic form and of course overall attention to detailing on denim, on-trend pop colours and trend-injection packs such as the camo pieces.

What album have you played more than any other on your iTunes? Recently it has definitely been The Blueprint 3 – totally iconic! There are so many great artists out there, we are also very impressed with Rita Ora’s meteoric rise to fame and hope to work with her in some way in the future.

Who has been the most incredible person you have ever had the pleasure of working with? I recently collaborated with Giles Deacon on a project and despite being a top designer and a major lynchpin of the fashion industry I can honestly say he was one of the most down to earth and inspiring people I’ve met. Absolutely charming.

Who is your hero? Terry Richardson would have to be one of them for his amazing view of the world and in modelling, Rick Genest is definitely up there in terms of an individualistic look and character.

rocawear.com

Text: Milly McMahon

Film: Josef Valentino

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Click here to view the Interview (In French)