Coly Trigg: Art, Comfort, or Illusion? Exploring the Mental Health Implications of Hyperrealistic Baby Dolls
- Alia Mundi Magazine
- May 16
- 3 min read
An Unusual Craft with a Growing Following
Coly Trigg is an artist, entrepreneur, and TikTok influencer known for "creating" hyperrealistic baby dolls that are offered for "adoption." Her creations are so lifelike that they closely resemble real newborns.
What may seem even more surreal than Trigg’s artistic pursuit is the enthusiastic response she receives from people all over the world who "adopt" these dolls. Before delivery, she carefully weighs, bathes, dresses, and prepares each doll — treating them with the care and ritual of real newborns.
One of her most striking creations includes a silicone newborn with an umbilical cord still attached — a detail that both fascinates and disturbs.
From Fascination with Creation to a Market for Illusion
Coly describes her fascination as rooted in the miracle of creation — from a mother’s womb to the moment of birth. She sees herself as an artist who pays homage to life’s beginnings, crafting dolls that reflect this deeply personal and universal experience.
Though her intentions may appear positive — even loving — in their desire to comfort women across the globe, it’s important to ask: Is what she does ethically sound? What impact does it have on the mental health of the women who "adopt" her babies?
Inside Coly's Studio: A Nursery or an Illusion?
A regular day in Coly Trigg’s studio might resemble a maternity ward. A woman arrives to “meet” her newborn, surrounded by rows of freshly created dolls. In reality, the space is a showroom — part nursery, part art gallery — where these lifelike dolls are presented with care and devotion.
The detail and investment in each piece is substantial. These are not mere toys, but intricate works crafted with silicone, fabrics, paints, and love. Yet this very realism is what prompts concern. Are these women finding healing through the dolls, or are they being led deeper into an emotional illusion?
Praise, Popularity, and the Power of Presentation
One of the most intriguing aspects of Coly’s work is the overwhelming positivity in the comments under her social media posts. Women praise her artistry, express deep emotional connections, and almost always inquire about the price. Negative comments are rare.
Coly herself is a charismatic, warm personality — and a savvy businesswoman. She knows how to connect with her audience and market her creations effectively. In one Instagram reel, she explains that silicone dolls are meant as substitutes or sources of comfort for women who don’t have children of their own. While she acknowledges that the feeling can never truly replace motherhood, she believes that engaging with the dolls can offer relief and emotional nourishment.
What Does Research Say About Therapeutic Dolls?
Although research on hyperrealistic dolls is still emerging, studies around similar practices — such as doll therapy in dementia care — suggest that interacting with lifelike dolls can reduce anxiety, loneliness, and stress. However, experts also warn of potential risks when the line between comfort and delusion becomes blurred.
In the context of childlessness, particularly involuntary childlessness, mental health professionals often emphasize the importance of grieving and adapting to reality rather than replacing it with fantasy.
A Personal Perspective: Art vs. Avoidance
As someone who does not have children, I personally struggle to find Coly Trigg’s approach entirely constructive. While I respect her artistry and the craftsmanship behind her hyperrealistic baby dolls — as well as her right to pursue financial success — I believe this kind of work treads a delicate line. The emotional reliance these dolls may foster in some women could carry unintended psychological consequences.
Though undeniably cute and impressively made, these creations might encourage some to retreat into comforting illusions rather than confront the painful reality of childlessness. In doing so, we risk replacing healing with dependency — and truth with a well-crafted replica.
Article: Dr. Ana Stjelja Gad
Photos: Coly Trigg Instagram
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