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Oh Baby : New Orleans Baby Doll Tradition Thrives
But far from its bygone roots in the sullied Storyville section of old New Orleans, today’s new Baby Doll tradition is promulgated by women who are business owners, community leaders, artists, musicians and devotees of New Orleans tradition and culture
In some cities, culture has to be imported. In New Orleans, it is innate and ubiquitous—from the sound of jazz notes filling the air to a whimsically decorated Zulu coconut. The food, the architecture, the artistry, the fun-filled celebrations, the social aid and pleasure clubs, Mardi Gras Indian tribes and so much more speak to the fact that in New Orleans not only are culture and tradition are organic, but they are here for all to enjoy.
So anywhere else, the presence of a grown woman all dolled up—literally—might seem strange. Any where else, except New Orleans, that is.
In fact, one popular exhibit at the recent annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival was all about Baby Dolls. There, Reesa Black, a Baby Doll affiliated the K-Doe Baby Dolls organization started in 2003 by the late Antoinette K-Doe, showcased photographs and suits from her group and allowed locals and tourists alike to learn more about the history of this organization and others like it.
The history of the Baby Dolls in New Orleans dates back to 1800s in Storyville, the city’s red light district, when the women who worked there would dress in racy outfits and march alongside some parades, collecting money from onlookers and tucking it into their garments; but today, Baby Dolls are small business owners, women involved in the R&B, African dance, jazz and other cultural communities who simply love New Orleans.
On Mardi Gras Day, you can find Baby Dolls in the historic Tremé neighborhood, adorned in pastel satin costumes embellished with lace or fringe. The dresses are often worn above the knee and topped off with bonnets and bloomers, ruffled socks or full stockings and patent leather Mary Jane shoes. Traditional Baby Doll accessories include baby bottles, rattles, pacifiers, and ornately decorated purses.
Like other Carnival organizations such as the Black Mardi Gras Indians, the Baby Dolls spend many hours planning, designing and sewing their costumes in preparation for the big day. They also participate in other public and social events throughout the year.
Baby Doll organizations in the Crescent City are growing in popularity since their resurgence and are gaining recognition for their uniqueness. When Antoinette K-Doe, who died on Mardi Gras morning this year, and Miriam Batiste Reed established the K-Doe Baby Dolls about six years ago, the tradition drew increased public attention.
However, the Baby Doll culture never really ended. Merline Kimble has been an active member of the Gold Diggers since 1985. The original Gold Diggers’ Baby Dolls have a history that dates back to the 1900s, she says, adding that her grandmother Louise Recasner Phillips was an original member of the Gold Diggers’ Baby Dolls.
According to stories passed down to Kimble, The Gold Diggers would come out as early as two in the morning, and hundreds of people would be waiting outside her grandmother’s house on Dumaine Street. On Mardi Gras day the Gold Diggers Baby Dolls can still be found on Dumaine Street, in the heart of the Tremé.
“Being a Baby Doll gives you the opportunity to do all the crazy things and that you would not normally do,” Kimble says. “I am a very conservative lady, but when you put the baby doll costume on you become another person. People scream ‘baby doll, baby doll, baby doll’ and all sorts of things happen. It is a lot of fun.”
