While Barbie has undergone many transformations over the years, from becoming a scientist to promoting positive mental health online, her loyal boyfriend Ken lagged behind for some time.
However, now toymakers Mattel have decided to give Ken a millennial makeover and have launched a new range of Ken dolls with new hair styles, a range of body types, stylish new clothes, and skin tones for every ethnicity.
The new dolls are available in seven different skin tones, sport nine different hairstyles including cornrows and a man-bun, and have three different body types, including a more muscular “broad” physique.
The move follows last year’s introduction of three new body types for Barbie: petite, tall and curvy. Mattel said they wanted the new dolls to reflect a changing world, according to The Guardian.
“We are redefining what a Barbie or Ken doll looks like to this generation,” Lisa McKnight, Senior Vice-President and General Manager for Barbie, said in a statement.
Ken doll: slim, broad or chiseled and now with a man bun https://t.co/qyEYEcETFJ
— Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) June 20, 2017
She said the new Ken dolls would allow children to “further personalise the role they want him to play in Barbie’s world”.
While that may have been Mattel’s intention, it was Ken’s hipster man-bun which drew amusement and interest from Twitter users.
“Does the man-bun Ken doll also come with a Soul Cycle membership, a vintage record player and $50,000 in student debt?” one Twitter user asked jokingly.
While another quipped: “I don’t even own man-bun Ken doll, but he already told me about the dangers of processed food and how Bernie would have beaten Trump.”
I don't even own Mattel's new man bun Ken Doll but he already told me the dangers of processed food and how Bernie would have beaten Trump. pic.twitter.com/rjxQQFiEfI
— Sully Sullivan (@Mikey_Sul) June 20, 2017
Ken has been Barbie’s constant companion since his arrival in 1961, apart from when Mattel decided to split them up in 2004. However, in the spirit of romance, the couple were reunited on Valentine’s Day, in 2011.
While Ken has been getting a makeover, Barbie has been promoting positive mental health over on her YouTube channel.
Barbie recently posted a vlog called “Feeling Blue? You’re Not Alone”, explaining that she’d woken up feeling blue and she couldn’t figure out why. The much-loved doll went on to list things which made her feel better: talking to someone, exercising, organising her room, and even laughing meditation.
However, she added that sometimes, despite trying these methods, she still “feels blue” and adds that she feels “guilty”, because she is known for her upbeat positive persona.
Barbie then reflected that perhaps she is being “unfair on herself” and reassured viewers that they “are not alone” and that “everyone has felt the way you feel at some point”.
What do you think of the new dolls, mums? Let us know.
