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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 Bjelland's influencial source for the kinderwhore/babydoll look.


Going back to the late 80's before Courtney & Kat took on the 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 from there, they continuously fued over who came up with the look, (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 fueds, 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 occasionally bleached hair.


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.


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.


Sources: history of babydoll, wikipedia.
photos from: sassynpunk, Kat Bjelland.com & Switchblade symphony


Kinderwhore images: Courtney love, still from "Babydoll", & Kat Bjelland.