Going
back to the late 80's before Courtney & Kat took on the kinderwhore look,
Christina Amphlett of The
divinyl's adopted the babydoll look for her on stage 'guise', this same
look was then taken up later by both Courtney & Kat.
Of
course when they both took on the look there, the continuous fued over who
came up with the look first started (considering that Courtney & Kat were
once bandmates as Pagan babies, then went their separate ways with Hole
& Babes
in toyland the onslaught went on & off for years).
Kat claimed the source for her influence was from 'Babydoll'
which started on the onslaught fully. Courtney went onto to pen songs aimed
at Kat and kat did like-wise. But despite the feuds the look was hugely influencial
to those in the riot grrrl scene in the early 90's as well as other musicians.
Fans adopted the 'kinderwhore' look consisting of thrift store
'babydoll' dresse's with puffy sleeves, school like dresse's with collars
and ripped dresse's. Not to forget the red lipstick and occasional bleached
hair.
You could also find musicians such as Jennifer Finch (L7),
Jessicka fodera (Jack
off jill/Scarling),
Katie Jane Garside (Daisy
chainsaw/Queen
adreena) & Tina Root (Switchblade
symphony) taking on the look in their own way from the more 'kindergoth'
approach to the more sweetly but scary approach.
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Kinderwhore
When
you probably think of a kinderwhore the two most infamous ladies that pop
into your head would be Courtney
Love & Kat
Bjelland, but the look is much more than the style that was worn by them
both back in the 90's it's still being worn by today by older & younger
fans.
Going back to 'the start' the look wasn't originally started
in the 90's, you could find the 'babydoll' look that kinderwhore originated
from in the film 'Babydoll' scripted by Tennesse Williams in 1956, with the
childish bride babydoll adorning a babydoll nightgown. This was apparently
Kat Bjellands influencial source for the kinderwhore/babydoll look.
influencial source for the kinderwhore/babydoll look.
The look is still seen today with younger fans who've just discovered hole & babes in toyland adopting the look alongside bands such as destitute and Eva chavela still carrying the look on today. It may have calmed down but it still most certainly exists as a more 'underground' style these days, and as a memorable style from the 90's.
Article: Leona.
Sources: history of babydoll, wikipedia.
photos from: sassynpunk, Kat Bjelland.com & Switchblade symphony