The Story of
Zombie Apparel

   In the fall of 2002, amidst the Halloween season, Zombie Apparel was born. Originated by sole fashion designer and coordinator Gwendolyn Kiste, ZA originally began as a seasonal clothing store at Carnation Mall in Alliance, Ohio. While the experience as a store owner at the ripe ol' age of eighteen was important to her, Gwendolyn was also enduring her freshman year at Case Western Reserve University as (what else?) a psychology major. Thus, Zombie Apparel was to lie dormant for nearly two years as Gwendolyn focused on her education. Nevertheless, she continued her designs and began networking with local models and venues.

      Finally, in December 2004, Zombie Apparel returned to life with two fashion shows at the B-Side Lounge and The Phantasy, respectively. Over the course of the last four years, ZA has hosted, coordinated, and assisted with over two dozen fashion shows in the northeastern Ohio area, appearing several more times at the Phantasy and the B-Side Lounge as well as R/E Niteclub, Club Khameleon, the Hi-Fi Club, the Grog Shop, the Velvet Dog, Fat Jimmy's, Sadie Rene's, and the Open Space Art Gallery. Zombie Apparel was the main sponsor for the first annual Miss Gothic Ohio Pageant in May 2005 and has participated in other events in the local scene. In addition, Zombie Apparel designs has been featured twice in the LA-based publication Defunkt Magazine.