Zombies aren't just for Halloween...
I don't know about you guys but I am still recovering from massive Halloween blues. Another hazy (drunken) Halloween has passed which means another year before it's socially acceptable to get stupid drunk and dress up as your favourite serial killer...
After binning my pumpkin, I need to drag out Halloween just for one more night, so with that in mind I give to you a Halloween-y/fashion-y/tattoo-y edition blog post featuring....ZOMBIE BOY!
Unlike my previous posts, I won't be lecturing you on how tattoos don't dictate our levels of intellect, instead, I'll be telling you the powerful story of Rick Genest, whom has inspired the world with his story to live life to the full no matter what others think.
As a child, Rick or "Rico" was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour, and told he may never leave the hospital. After invasive brain surgery despite the odds, Rico was to survive with minimal damage. It was from here on that he was to start living his life, starting with his first tattoo at the age of 16; a skull and crossbones on his left shoulder. As the tattoos spread to an entire skeleton courtesy of Montreal artist Frank Lewis, so did his love of the underground punk rock scene and the culture of customised clothing, music and piercings. Living in abandoned buildings with close friends, they branded him "Zombie Boy."
It seemed Rico was causing quite a stir with the press (as expected when you have an exoskeleton inked on you from head to toe) and after expressing his love of sideshows he was soon to join one, even form one of his own! What Rico didn't know was whilst he was lying on beds of nails and sawing people in half Nicola Formichetti, creative director of Fashion House Mugler and Lady Gaga's assistant was making plans for him as the face of Mugler's fall 2011 campaign.
Rico for Thierry Mugler Fall 2011. Image from emcblue.com
The Camera, the world and particularly Formichetti loved Rico, and so when a massive name in fashion is a fan of yours, it's only right you meet their mates (and star in Lady Gaga's "Born this Way" video, GQ, Area Hommes Plus, Vanity Fair, Vogue Japan and act as "centrepiece of NY Fashion Week.")
I know what you're thinking; Zombie Boy's career and fame will fizzle out. Wrong. The future is looking bright for Rico as he is the skeletal face of global star Jay-Z's clothing line "J-Zee Rocawear EU." He will star alongside Keanu Reeves in Carl Rinsch's new up and coming 3D motion picture "47 Ronin." He even squeezes in his own punk band "Zombie Boy Vs the world," (single to debut in 2014) acting, animating, releasing clothing lines, appearing at tattoo conventions and DJ-ing.
Much to my happiness, Zombie Boy Rico's humble attitude has not been forgotten with fame. He gives to the charities that gave to him, maintains strong relationships with loved ones, and admits his "biggest extravagance would be to build a place on a nice spot of land so that he can give his friends from the punk rock community of Montreal 'a place to live'" (taken from Rico's online "Story")
Hopefully Rico's story has inspired you to...*cliche alert*...do whatever makes you happy, enjoy your life, and hopefully see people for their admirable attitudes rather than their perhaps terrifying exterior!
Rico "Zombie Boy" modelling shots. Taken from his own gallery Rickgenest.com
Read Rico Zombie Boy's full story, shop merchandise and watch interviews here @:
http://rickgenest.com/
Watch the trailer for 2013 3D Motion Picture "47 Ronin" here @:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47_-pqoPDVQ
After binning my pumpkin, I need to drag out Halloween just for one more night, so with that in mind I give to you a Halloween-y/fashion-y/tattoo-y edition blog post featuring....ZOMBIE BOY!
"I'm a performer, essential freak, or model, or actor... 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,' that's what they say. It changes from person to person. Everybody has their own opinion, their own ideas of what beauty is. It's got to come from the inside, and if you are true and genuine, I find that beautiful." - Rico Zombie
Unlike my previous posts, I won't be lecturing you on how tattoos don't dictate our levels of intellect, instead, I'll be telling you the powerful story of Rick Genest, whom has inspired the world with his story to live life to the full no matter what others think.
As a child, Rick or "Rico" was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour, and told he may never leave the hospital. After invasive brain surgery despite the odds, Rico was to survive with minimal damage. It was from here on that he was to start living his life, starting with his first tattoo at the age of 16; a skull and crossbones on his left shoulder. As the tattoos spread to an entire skeleton courtesy of Montreal artist Frank Lewis, so did his love of the underground punk rock scene and the culture of customised clothing, music and piercings. Living in abandoned buildings with close friends, they branded him "Zombie Boy."
It seemed Rico was causing quite a stir with the press (as expected when you have an exoskeleton inked on you from head to toe) and after expressing his love of sideshows he was soon to join one, even form one of his own! What Rico didn't know was whilst he was lying on beds of nails and sawing people in half Nicola Formichetti, creative director of Fashion House Mugler and Lady Gaga's assistant was making plans for him as the face of Mugler's fall 2011 campaign.
The Camera, the world and particularly Formichetti loved Rico, and so when a massive name in fashion is a fan of yours, it's only right you meet their mates (and star in Lady Gaga's "Born this Way" video, GQ, Area Hommes Plus, Vanity Fair, Vogue Japan and act as "centrepiece of NY Fashion Week.")
I know what you're thinking; Zombie Boy's career and fame will fizzle out. Wrong. The future is looking bright for Rico as he is the skeletal face of global star Jay-Z's clothing line "J-Zee Rocawear EU." He will star alongside Keanu Reeves in Carl Rinsch's new up and coming 3D motion picture "47 Ronin." He even squeezes in his own punk band "Zombie Boy Vs the world," (single to debut in 2014) acting, animating, releasing clothing lines, appearing at tattoo conventions and DJ-ing.
Much to my happiness, Zombie Boy Rico's humble attitude has not been forgotten with fame. He gives to the charities that gave to him, maintains strong relationships with loved ones, and admits his "biggest extravagance would be to build a place on a nice spot of land so that he can give his friends from the punk rock community of Montreal 'a place to live'" (taken from Rico's online "Story")
Hopefully Rico's story has inspired you to...*cliche alert*...do whatever makes you happy, enjoy your life, and hopefully see people for their admirable attitudes rather than their perhaps terrifying exterior!
Read Rico Zombie Boy's full story, shop merchandise and watch interviews here @:
http://rickgenest.com/
Watch the trailer for 2013 3D Motion Picture "47 Ronin" here @:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47_-pqoPDVQ
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