Hello!

Barbie and Ken have (and probably will always be) the ultimate couple. The iconic pair have grown together, embraced popular trends, worn all the latest fashion, and given kids so much joy over the years.

And now Ken is celebrating his 60th birthday…and my goodness, I wish I knew his secret, because he looks fab-u-lous!

The popular “boy Barbie” is celebrating his 60-year history of fashion and fun with the launch of an anniversary Ken doll range.

This fun new range includes throwback styles, giving kids an insight into fashion favourites from the last few decades.

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Retro Ken Dolls

The range includes 1961 Original Ken™ doll, 1984 Great Shape Ken™ doll and 1985 Rocker Derek doll and all the dolls are sporting an iconic outfit updated with today’s trends.

Ken Creation

Ken first came onto the scene in 1961 as the male counterpart of Barbie, who was introduced two years earlier in 1959. Named after the son of Mattel founders Ruth and Elliot Handler, Kenneth Sean Carson (his full name) has held down over 40 careers since his debut, including Doctor (1963), Pilot (1975), Sports Star Tennis Player (1980), Singer / Rockstar (1991), Photographer (2000), and Lifeguard (2019).

Ken upholds diversity as he now has 3 body types, 9 skin tones, 10 eye colours, 27 hair colours and 20 hairstyles.

Ken’s 60th anniversary range is available now nationally instore and online at Big W, Target and Kmart, and other specialty toy retailers.

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We Bet You Didn’t Know This About Ken!

1) Ken’s official “birthday” is 11 March, 1961 (making him a Pisces), he’s exactly two years and two days younger than Barbie.

2) The first Ken sold for $3.50. He had molded hair in blonde or brunette, wore red swim trunks, cork sandals, and carried a yellow towel.

3) In 1969, Ken got a makeover with a new molded hairdo, thicker eyebrows, and a bright smile to show off his white “teeth.”

4) Known for driving along the Malibu coast, Ken’s cars have included a Dream ‘Vette (1984) and a Mini Cooper (2012-13).

5) Ken’s only sibling is his younger brother Tommy who debuted in 1997.

6) It was the breakup heard around the world when Barbie and Ken ended their relationship in 2004.

7) In 2010, Ken made more than 50 costume changes when he appeared on the big screen in “Toy Story 3.”

8) Proving true love conquers all, Barbie and Ken reunited in 2011.

9) Fashionable by design, Ken was a muse for Jean Paul Gaultier, Gareth Pugh, and even wore a custom Moschino suit exactly like the one worn by Jeremy Scott to the 2015 MTV Music Awards.

10) Fashionista Ken sported new hairstyles including man bun and cornrows, as well as broad and slim body shapes in 2017.

Which are your kids’ favourite Barbie and Ken dolls? Tell us in the comments below.

60years-ken

  • I had a barabie and both my brothers had a Ken doll each and also action man.

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  • As a young girl I loved my Ken doll, my daughter doesn’t have one yet so I’ll need to fix that! She has beach barbie only, I’ll need to start on her collecting ASAP!

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  • My daughter loved Barbie but Ken not so much

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  • I love my 90s roller blade Ken…complete with bumble! The roller blades even sparked.

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  • Glad that ken is still popular! Had one as a kid and I loved him

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  • They’ve lasted the distance over many fads. We had the dollhouse as well.

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  • I’m really pleased my daughter wants Ken dolls as well as Barbie. They kinda dilute the pretty-pretty effect.

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  • Happy Birthday / Anniversary to Ken lol!

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  • I never had Ken or Barbie dolls as my Mum and Grandmother couldn’t afford them. I was more of a tomboy anyway and used to play Combat with the boys (no girls in our suburb). I never missed them as I was too busy having fun outdoors. When my boys arrived they weren’t into dolls either. For them it was football, basketball and cricket. I can’t believe how old these dolls date back to though. You know the old saying “when you’re on a good thing, stick to it”. Sounds true for Barbie and Ken.

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  • Wow! I never knew barbie and Ken ever split. I only ever had one Ken doll and it was in 1989. I’m not sure which one it would have been as it was a hand me down.

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  • I never had ken.

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  • Lol lots of facts for a doll

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  • I never had a Barbie or a Ken doll when I was younger I just did not like them

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  • I still have my mums original 1960 Ken doll that my own kids play with. His clothes, hat and shoes have since perished but he is still going strong.

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  • Hes still a hottie at 60.

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  • I never had a ken

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  • I’m glad they finally had a ken in a wheel chair. A friend of mines son is in a wheel chair and it was the first toy she grabbed when she seen it for him!

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  • My son sure had some Ken dolls in the past. My daughters played with them too together with their Barbies.

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  • I want to get these for my sons, love the diversity its great.

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  • I believe there was quite the argument about the size of his “bulge” when he was first being manufactured, and the reason he doesn’t have one is, it saved money to use less plastic. T

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