bordello-diaries:

The dancers of the Hamburg Reeperbahn photographed by James Baes For Oui, February 1974.

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bordello-diaries:

From a Ho to a Housewife

Originally created by cartoonist Reinhard Beuthien in 1952 as “filler” for a blank space in German mens tabloid paper Bild-Zeitung, Lilli was inspired by the “working girls” of  Reeperbahn street in Hamburg’s St. Paul red-light district where street sexwork is legal at certain times of the day.  In German it is also known as die sundige Meile (the sinful mile).  The Beatles played several shows here in the early 1960’s, one with John wearing a toilet seat around his neck.
Lennon is famously quoted as saying  ”I might have been born in Liverpool – but I grew up in Hamburg”.

Lily was the modern woman; ambitious, confident, and openly talked about sex.With a attraction to Rich Uncles and Sugar Daddies, Lilli, at least once, enlisted the help of a mystic fortune teller in her search.

(picture no.2. “No, I can’t got out with you. I am too tired. I spent the whole day doing my laundry”)

Lilli’s appearance in the mens tabloid was an immediate success and three years later she appeared as an “adult novelty toy” which sold  in bars, newsstands, and tobacco shops.  Despite not marketing to children Lilli quickly gained a following amongst them and business was booming with the creation of outfits and accessories that were sold separately.

(picture no.3. Lilli doll by O&M Hausser (German toy company)prototype designed by Max Weissbrodt following Beuthien’s drawings)

As the story goes, Ruth Handler of Mattel Inc. had suggested creating a adult bodied doll but got an unenthusiastic response from Mattel.  When she came across Lilli on a trip to Europe she bought a few and took them back to show Mattel executives.  After changing the shoes, earrings, hair, and name, Barbie was introduced at the American International Toy Fair on March 9, 1959 and marketed to young girls as a “Teen-age Fashion Model”.  In 1964 Mattel acquired the rights to the Bild Lilli doll and production of Lilli was stopped.

(picture no.4. Despite the intention of an adult appearance, some parents were unhappy about Barbies distinct breasts.If they only knew.)

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Cocktail time!!

yeahwritejosie:

Best gif ever.

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