Esther Blackmon was born on march 5th, 1962. While the rest of her siblings were born with perfectly average skin, Esther was born with a condition known as ichthyosis.
According to one of her stylised posters, her appearance was due to her mother being frightened by an alligator while pregnant. In another, Esther was described as ‘baffled medical science’ with her condition. She travelled mainly withing the United States with West’s World Shows, Endy Bros. Shows, Cetlin-Wilson Shows, Royal American Shows and Clyde Beatty’s Circus Sideshow.
Ichythoysis is a rare skin condition that causes extremely dry and cracked skin. it also impedes hair growth. As a result Esther had no hair or eyelashes. The hairless and scales made her appearance unusual and the alligsator skinned woman began her exhibitation career.
I chose to use Esther Blackmon as inspiration for my Claudia design. I want to give Claudia ichthyosis and make her the lizard girl.
Pednaud, T. J. (2014) The Real Freaks Featured in the American Horror Story: Freak Show Opening Credits - Circus Freaks and Human Oddites. Available at: http://www.thehumanmarvels.com/real-freaks-featured-american-horror-story-freak-show-opening-credits/
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