- Baby Dolls founded by group of African-American workers in NOLA’s red light district around 1912
- Evolved into colorful tradition of wearing revealing garments and empowering women
By Beth Stebner
The ‘Baby Dolls’ marched through the streets of New Orleans during Mardi Gras last week with hardly any of the throng lining the streets having any idea of the seedy truth behind the tradition.
The history Baby Dolls spans more than a century, and began with the African-American women working in the red light district in Storyville.
The Baby Dolls came together around 1912, as the word ‘baby’ began its run as both a term of endearment and a condescending slight toward women working as prostitutes.