Trophy Wife Barbie: The Instagram account depicting Barbie like a real woman
It's the Instagram account we all need
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Your support makes all the difference.Although progress has been made to make Barbie dolls a better representation of real women in recent years, there’s still a long way to go.
But that is where Trophy Wife Barbie comes in, the brilliant Instagram account that shows versions of Barbie we can all relate to.
Clutching her fat rolls after a big meal, with bags under her eyes, on her period and with dark roots when she hasn’t managed to touch up her blonde, Trophy Wife Barbie is the doll that actually reflects real women’s experiences.
She throws up over a toilet with her friend holding back her hair after too much to drink, smokes, takes unflattering chin selfies and goes braless when she wants to.
The account is run by conceptual artist Annelies Hofmeyr, who was born in South Africa to a British mother and Afrikaans father.
“Trophy Wife Barbie’s main goal is to highlight the limitations of labels and to explore gender issues and the modern female identity,” Hofmeyr says.
“The work is an invitation to consider what might happen if we focus on the things we have in common, rather than fear the things that make us different.
“Barbie, as a timeless icon - recognised by everyone but carrying meaning that varies tremendously with the viewer - affords a medium that’s highly relatable and amusing.
“The antlers are a physical representation of a label imposed on her, likening her to a hunting trophy; something to be owned.”
Hofmeyr hopes Trophy Wife Barbie will incite discussion which will help people learn about themselves and others.
Many people consider the doll to be the Barbie we all need.
There are endless comments on her posts of people saying “me” and “love it,” and the account has 225,000 followers.
“Just have to say....You are SO clever! Love ALL your posts‼” wrote one fan.
“Omg I love this account!” added another.
Because actually, there are many ways to be a woman, and Trophy Wife Barbie says that loud and clear.
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