Socality Barbie is living authentic on Instagram and is all kinds of #blessed.
Not only has she traded in her usual blonde locks for a brunette do and her pink heels for a pair of Warby Parkers, she’s ditched her many different job roles (Doctor Barbie, Rock Star Barbie) for an endless barrage of selfies in exotic locations.
Also known as Hipster Barbie, Socality Barbie is a satire of all things millennial. The definition of socality is: “social nature tendencies assembling in communities”. So basically, she’s taking the mick out of us.
The art project is the work of a Portland-based wedding photographer, who wishes to remain anonymous to preserve the account’s authenticity. She says the connotations of Barbie as a mass produced and idealistic symbol for girls is what makes her the perfect muse for a parody of 21st century society: “People were all taking the same pictures in the same places and using the same captions,” she says. “I couldn’t tell any of their pictures apart so I thought, ‘What better way to make my point than with a mass-produced doll?’”
So far Socality Barbie has an impressive 500,000 followers, but still remains #humble. Her creator says: “I think it’s because she’s so relatable. Either your Instagram looks just like hers or you know at least one person whose Instagram does.”
Her hobbies include doing typically hipster things, such as getting a caffeine fix from fancy hipster coffee shops.
Backpacking, with a Filson bag, no less.
“That 3 minute hike was so worth it.”
Rockclimbing.
“It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.”
And taking pensive selfies in black and white.
Her Instagram captions are also full of sage wisdom such as: “Life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself” and “Choosing the right VSCO filter is SO important to the story you’re trying to tell”.
What perhaps makes this project all the more interesting is the fact that Socality Barbie actually visits most of these places. If her creator can’t get there she Photoshops her into the location, but it’s still more genuine that most of what you find on Instagram.
Socality Barbie’s trendy clothes are also handmade. The Filson backpack was created using an iron-on patch and some leather and her beanie hat is the finger of a glove.
Even though the real-life version of this type of feed is fun to follow, they’re not the most honest. They make us mere mortals feel bad for spending our weekends in bed instead of out exploring far away locations, or for munching on pizza rather than “eating clean” or turning vegan. The mastermind behind Socality Barbie understands this, and that’s what makes this account so hilarious: “I get it, it’s pretty to look at, but it’s so dishonest. Nobody actually lives like this. And it’s so overdone that it’s becoming boring.”
So remember, real you is better than Instagram you! Besides, you’ll never Instagram better then Socality Barbie, so why even try?