Ken gets makeover: Cornrows, beefy bod and new skin tones

Millenium Vette · 06-20-2017, 3:07pm

NEW YORK (AP) — He’s been overshadowed by Barbie for decades, but now Ken is finally getting some attention.

Mattel is introducing 15 new looks for the male doll, including different skin tones, body shapes and hair styles. Barbie had a similar makeover more than a year ago, both part of the toy company’s plan to make its dolls more diverse and appealing to today’s kids.

Ken hadn’t changed much since he was introduced 56 years ago as Barbie’s blue-eyed, chiseled boyfriend. Now he’ll be sold in three body shapes: “slim,” ″broad” and “original.”

He’ll have modern hairdos, such as cornrows and man buns, and come in seven skin tones. And he’ll also be sporting new fashions: think skinny ties, plaid shirts and graphic tees.

“We are redefining what a Barbie or Ken doll looks like to this generation,” said Mattel’s Lisa McKnight, who oversees the Barbie line.

Mattel is trying to fight falling sales of its iconic doll line at a time when many kids would rather play with an iPad. Barbie sales were down 13 percent in the first three months of the year compared with the same period a year ago. A live-action Barbie movie is in the works for next year, with hopes that the big-screen flick will spur doll sales as well.

Ken was in need of a makeover, said Jim Silver, the editor-in-chief of toy review website TTPM. Kids playing with the revamped Barbie dolls don’t want an outdated Ken, said Silver.

“He’s part of the storyline and he has to fit in with the picture,” he said, “or you would lose sales.”

Some of the new $10 Ken dolls were being rolled out to shops and online stores Tuesday, Mattel Inc. said, and all of them will be on store shelves by the holidays.

The El Segundo, California-based company also announced new Barbie looks Tuesday, including one with a nearly shaved head and another with an Afro. Mattel has been tinkering with other lines to be more inclusive, such as adding its first boy doll for the American Girl brand.

Linky for proof

MrPeabody · 06-20-2017, 3:18pm

Sure, let's teach a generation of young girls that Ken is Gay.

Loco Vette · 06-20-2017, 3:37pm

The continued dumbing down:

Quote:

Originally Posted by From the Article

He’ll have modern hairdos, such as cornrows and man buns

Aerovette · 06-20-2017, 3:37pm

I didn't think a gay doll could be made MORE gay. I was wrong. How long before it has a hole for GI Joe's fist?

MrPeabody · 06-20-2017, 3:40pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerovette

I didn't think a gay doll could be made MORE gay. I was wrong. How long before it has a hole for GI Joe's fist?

MrPeabody · 06-20-2017, 3:42pm

There will be a version called "College Ken". He will have a man bun and a sociology degree from Berkeley. He will come in a Starbucks uniform.

99 pewtercoupe · 06-20-2017, 5:55pm

And a teeny tiny Bernie button

theriver · 06-20-2017, 6:20pm

Aero ftw !

OddBall · 06-20-2017, 8:20pm

This explains it all...

99 pewtercoupe · 06-21-2017, 6:38am

Surprised we haven't heard from our resident Barbie expert on this.

Bill · 06-21-2017, 7:19am

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99 pewtercoupe

Surprised we haven't heard from our resident Barbie expert on this.

I heard he was camped out in front of a MS toy store to be first in line to get all of the new Kens.

Craig · 06-21-2017, 8:14am

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrPeabody

There will be a version called "College Ken". He will have a man bun and a sociology degree from Berkeley. He will come in a Starbucks uniform.

And his head will be permanently aimed at his iPhone.

Millenium Vette · 06-21-2017, 9:20am

Here's a group photo of the motley crew. Grandpa should have loaned the front and center dude his Eckler's C4 jacket to go along with those jorts.

Mike Mercury · 06-21-2017, 9:23am

Cybercowboy · 06-21-2017, 9:40am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Millenium Vette

Here's a group photo of the motley crew. Grandpa should have loaned the front and center dude his Eckler's C4 jacket to go along with those jorts.

What? Man-bun Ken is my favorite! Don't pick on him, he's got a fragile ego and is a little bit on the spectrum. Also he has anxiety issues and owes a bunch on his student loans he took out for his gender studies degree.