New Orleans Baby Dolls

The tradition of the New Orleans baby dolls started in 1912 around the seventh ward and Treme. At the time, Treme was grounds for prostitutes looking to make some money. Therefore, a group of uptown prostitutes dressed up as baby dolls for Mardi Gras to be noticed throughout the crowd of masked peoples. Another reason why these ladies dressed up was to show up their rivals. Around 1940, this mode of being seen had inspired others to begin to dress as baby dolls to have a good time. I find these ladies and men to be very inspiring because they help to keep New Orleans lively. They give the people of the community something to look forward too. Their passion for what they do can been seen even through Hurricane Katrina. When the hurricane hit, the people who dressed up for Mardi Gras were more worried about having their costumes finished than their houses. This truly shows the Mardi Gras spirit and the spirit of those who live in the Big Easy.  

Photo Credit: Google Images