Storyville: Ghostly, Dirty Beauty (NSFW)

I recently saw the documentary:


Storyville: The Naked Dance

This PBS film documents the era of legal prostitution in Storyville, New Orleans (the end of the 19th century through the early 20th century), in a quiet, understated way, aided by the period photography of E.J. Bellocq, among other contemporary imagery.

I was inspired by the haunting beauty of the prostitutes in Bellocq's photos, and the unique lifestyle these women led, often living together, or alone in small, shack-like hovels, while adorning themselves to appear to be beautiful and dainty creatures despite the harsh living conditions.

Here are a few of Bellocq's photos:

Other excellent resources:





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From the back of the DVD:

STORYVILLE: The Naked Dance is the first documentary about America's legendary legal red-light district that thrived in New Orleans from 1898 until World War I. Storyville got its name when Alderman Sidney Story attempted to clear up the New Orleans waterfront by restricting prostitution to a specific neighborhood. To his chagrin, the area was dubbed "Storyville," and it was so known until the U.S. Navy closed it for good in 1917.

Set against the stark backdrop of Victorian morality, 2000 prostitutes worked the 16 square blocks of twinkling lights and rat-infested alleyways. Storyville's gateway Basin Street, made legendary through song, was lined with extravagant bordellos -- from the infamous octoroon madam Lulu White's Mahogany Hall to Emma Johnson's mansion, where sex circuses were regularly staged. It was a district filled with greed, excitement, sin, and the raucous rhythms of a new American music: jazz.

STORYVILLE explores the genesis of jazz and its relationship to the decadent "sportin' life" through colorful jazz legends like Buddy Bolden and Jelly Roll Morton. The soundtrack combines a rich medley of ragtime, blues, music of the streets, 19th century classical compositions, early jazz tunes, and the pre-recorded voices of musicians who played there.

The film's visual centerpieces are portraits of Storyville's prostitutes photographed by E. J. Bellocq, turn-of-the centry erotica (including never-before seen photos of Lulu White) and nickelodeon "peep shows."

"Storyville was New Orlean's ill-famed denizen of irrational behavior, a wide open, large area of pleasure places, cat houses, and honky-tonks, twenty four hours round the clock - all in the direct center of the commercial business district."

-- Danny Barker, jazz musician and raconteur
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Check out this beautiful video of Bellocq's 1912 photos of Storyville prostitutes set to period music (created by Casey Winstead on vimeo):



Below are some editorial and beauty images that remind me of the Storyville women and Bellocq photos for your inspiration.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/LaBelleFairy - custom corsetry, chemises, dresses and gowns (gorgeous and historically-accurate):

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BoudoirQueen - vintage inspired clothing (reasonably affordable for designer clothing, ranging from $148 to $$2500): 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SomniaRomantica - historically accurate undergarments, tops, skirts, gowns and accessories (with gothic and burlesque elements):

Vertical Stripe Thigh-Highs at amazon.com (as seen on women in Bellocq's photos), click on images for more info:





Modern Photographic (Fashion) Inspiration:

Also, check out the original vintage-inspired fashion design and photography of Helen James:

http://helenjamesdesign.blogspot.com/2010/03/new-helen-james-collection.html