Your source for male fashion doll news!

April 2011

Keeping Ken

New Product Reference Guide Archive

Keeping Ken Fashion Frenzy! 

Ken News Feature Archive

Here's the scoop.

Don't be surprised if you see billboards in New York and Los Angeles with Ken professing his renewed love for his ladydoll, declaring "Barbie, you are the only doll for me."

Even better, " Barbie, we may be plastic but our love is real."

Ken and Barbie fans may also have picked up on the famous exes flirting on Facebook, or noted that Ken checked in on Foursquare at the famous Magnolia Bakery in New York to get special cupcakes for his favorite girl.

Ken's thinks he's the ultimate boyfriend but Barbie fans will have to wait a few more weeks to find out if he succeeds in his quest. (DON'T click HERE if you want it to be a surprise).

PICTURED ABOVE:  A first look at Ken doll's new look for 2011!

PICTURED RIGHT:  My Favorite Ken Doll 50th Anniversary due in Spring 2011.

First, let me apologize for the very late update to the site! I have a lot going on in anticipation of Ken doll's 50th anniversary...which is officially on March 13, 2011...but here we are in September, and the fun has already started! I put the final touches on a Ken book that will be released on this date, am helping with planning for the 2011 National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention, plus have been secretly updating other relevant pages to the site.

Let me introduce you to a extremely clever marketing campaign from Mattel that will introduce Ken doll to the world...and will just keep coming at you through next year! The "Catch Me If You Ken" campaign started September 9, 2010 in New York, NY for Fashion's Night Out, (Ken joined Facebook in late August) and you can catch the video HERE from Ken's personal Facebook account so you can "catch up".  It seems Ken will be EVERYWHERE as he goes viral as an eligible single guy looking for the right girl.  Here are all the places you can actually see what is happening with Ken as he makes his life more public:

Facebook

Twitter

Foursquare

Keep checking back on his Facebook page for all the details and how things unfold for him as he gets back into the world as a single guy.  It should be loads of fun, and I plan to check his page daily!!

Mattel also announced a 50th Anniversary Ken doll planned for Spring 2011 (probably on March 13,2011) and will retail for $40.  In celebration of Ken® doll's 50th anniversary, this reproduction of the 1961 original Ken® doll features his famous red bathing suit. Included in the package are reproductions of the popular Victory Dance #1411 fashion with a fitted blue blazer with fraternity crest, sports pants and shoes. From 1964 is a reproduction vintage booklet, collectible 50th anniversary cards with a reproduction vintage image and Barbie® fun facts on the other side.  Did I mention this is my ALL TIME FAVORITE Ken fashion??? Thanks Mattel!!!!

Can't wait?? We can anticipate Ken joining the Barbie Basics line this fall (November 2010) for $25.  PLUS an accessory pack! (Regrettably, only one pair of socks, but check out those way cool shoes!!)

PICTURED BELOW:  Ken Basics Accessory Pack.

PICTURED BOTTOM:  Ken Basics Dolls.

Toy Story 3 Ken Doll

UPDATE:  Director Lee Unkrich (sorta) mentions this site in an interview

In an interview on momlogic.com Director of Toy Story 3 Lee Unkrich alludes to the fact that he used this site in researching the character of Ken for the movie.  When asked about the character of Ken, Unkrich answered "We knew pretty early on that we wanted Ken to be in the movie. We thought that was just so ripe with comic entertainment potential. We didn't know what we were going to do with him, but we knew he had to be in the movie. So at a certain point we had to decide what he wanted to look like. There were so many different looks of Ken over the years that I had to settle on one. Thank God for the Internet. There's a guy who runs a site just completely devoted to Ken that shows every Ken doll and every outfit for decades! I just pored through them, and there was this particular one from the '80s called Animal Lovin' Ken -- who came in a little safari outfit."

So will the site be credited? Will I get tickets to the premiere? I sent an email to the person I did research with... :)

The new Pixar Toy Story 3 movie will feature Ken (and Barbie again).  Ken will be voiced by actor Michael Keaton.  Pictures of the animated character of Ken came out today (pictured right). 

Toy Story 3 Ken is described as: "Grab your binoculars and join Ken on a safari! A swinging bachelor who’s always on the lookout for fun, Ken sports the perfect outfit for his eco-adventure: light blue shorts and a leopard-print shirt with short sleeves sure to keep him cool in the hot sun. And after his exciting expedition, Ken will be ready to hit the dance floor in style. His accessories include matching scarf, sensible loafers and a fashion-forward gold belt. Dozens of additional Ken outfits sold separately."

Ken is obviously modeled after 1988's Animal Lovin' Ken. 

The story follows the toys as they are dumped in a day-care center after Andy leaves for College.

A version of this Toy Story Ken doll will be available from Mattel in a gift set with Barbie, so be on the look out for him!!

No word yet if Pixar is sending me 2 tickets to the premier (yes, I was serious when I asked about that) for helping with research on Ken (or if I might be credited).  Still waiting to hear from the Pixar contact I was working with....btw it is scheduled for release on June 18, 2010, in the United States. (Plenty of time left to plan for me into the premiere festivities).

You can watch a movie preview here: http://vids.myspace.com/index....al&videoid=102888516


And here are some pictures of the Toy Story 3 Ken doll courtesy of COOL TOY REVIEW .  The shorts are too long and the eye facial paint is all wrong for the 1983 Ken head mold! You will notice that the original 1983 Ken head mold has upper eyelids that are painted downwards with no bottom liner, and the white dot in the iris is in a different spot than the sample doll (pictured below).  But it does look like a reproduction of the 1983 Ken head mold because the hair pattern is the exact same.  I think the animated version looks much more like the original doll, so kudos to Pixar for getting an exact likeness to the original! I'm a little disappointed that Mattel couldn't reproduce the face paint like the original.  Most dolls with the 1983 head mold are virtually all painted the same (not to mention this is the most used head mold for Ken in his entire history...see that here: Keeping Ken/Ken Parts Department). Maybe when the doll is actually released there will be modifications to this sample doll's face paint.

Barbie Harley Davidson Ken & Barbie Giftset PINK LABEL™
FEBRUARY 2010

Approximate Retail $75

Check out the new HARLEY-DAVIDSON KEN & BARBIE Doll Gift Set!  Harley fans will love this Barbie and Ken Harley-Davidson gift set! Barbie and Ken are both in actual Harley fashions and even come with tattoos, piercings, and motorcycle helmets! Features two Dolls and two motorcycle helmets. 

This will be the third edition of a Harley Davidson Ken, preceded by Harley Davidson Ken and Harley Davidson Ken (Second Edition).  The Ken doll appears to use the Twilight Edward Doll head sculpt, but the most exciting thing about this doll is the jointed wrists! Ken doll's articulation, body molds and head molds look to keep improving for 2010!
 

Above:  Promotional picture of Prince Ken from Shop.Mattel.com.  Right:  Actual doll that will arrive, the Prinz Doll (European Edition).

UPDATE:  This doll will be Ken! Here is the official Mattel description:

KEN® SPORTY FASHIONISTAS™ Doll
Sporty Fashionistas™ Ken® is ready for game day in his athletic polo tee, classic khaki shorts, black tennis shoes, stopwatch and sports sunglasses. Ken® features ten points of movement allowing for poseable fashion fun on the runway or in the stands. Availability: June 2010

Here is a promo picture of the second edition Fashionistas male doll (pictured right).  The doll is listed as Ken, and on Barbie's Face book page she informs us that there are two more Ken dolls coming, one black doll and one that looks like a handsome Italian movie star...which leads to the conclusion that this doll may be the "handsome Italian movie star" she mentions.  If you know who that is email me and let me know.  The only "handsome Italian movie stars" I can think of off-hand is the guy in the Lizzie McGuire movie or maybe Milo Ventimiglia from Heros...anyways the new doll reminds me a little of Mark Salling or Cory Monteith from Glee.  Barbie posted pictures shopping with another two dolls on her Facebook page (see photo below):  Barbie Fashionistas Ken, a Steven in a black leather jacket, black and white striped shirt and jeans, and a brunette doll who looks like the REBELDE Diego doll from Mattel's 2008 line.  Steve is articulated, Diego isn't which leads me to believe this is not a photo of future Fashionistas male dolls.  Confusing I know...  With this new doll, Mattel will probably not put a name on the box, as was the case with Barbie Fashionistas Ken (see below).

Pictured Above:  Picture from Barbie's Facebook.

Thanks to reader Caroline, she writes, "You mentioned in Keeping Ken News that you wondered who the brown haired character on the backing card was. Well in a recent Barbie comic here in the UK they had a "Meet the Boys" page with drawing showing Ken, Steven and this character, who was called Ryan."

Pictured Above:  The Meet the Boys" page from the UK Barbie comic booklet.

James a send me a scan of the mentioned "Meet The Boys" page (pictured above) and sure enough, there he is.  So the question remains are these new dolls that will be produced or not? I sure hope so!

So he is named Ryan.  So do you think a more grown up version of this Ryan doll or a grown up version of Alan's son is around the corner? Or to be a little more realistic, maybe it will be a brand new version recycling that name?? Cross your fingers!!

Ken Sporty Fashionistas Doll

Pictured Above:  Fashionistas (Second Edition).  Press image to enlarge.

Pictured Below:  Fashionistas Ken Doll

Fashionistas Ken Doll

Barbie Fashionistas Ken doll uses the Speed Racer Gift Set body mold and just looks terrific! He is appearing at TRU stores but I have not heard of him appearing elsewhere.  The biggest discussion has been about that hat...it looks like straw but is plastic and was used previously for the High School Musical Ryan doll.  He may look familiar...This doll is dressed similar to the boxed Ken doll in the beginning of the Do "The Barbie" dance video.

The Twilight Saga New Moon Jacob Doll

Available February 2010

Twilight/New Moon Jacob Doll PINK LABEL™.  The cultural phenomenon continues with New Moon, the follow-up movie to Twilight, in which Stephenie Meyer introduces werewolf Jacob Black as a new love interest for the main character Bella Swan.

Mattel immortalizes actor Taylor Lautner, who plays wolfie shapeshifter/hero Jacob in "Twilight: New Moon," as a doll.

Bella and Edward dolls (see below) were released earlier this year, and I am looking forward to the Jacob doll since he'd offer a nice contrast to Edward's pasty complexion with his tan.

Jacob doll wears ripped denim shorts and sneakers. His well-defined six-pack abs are molded in loving, tiny detail...a brand new body mold!

Pictured Below:  The Twilight Saga New Moon Jacob Doll

Selling out in less than 15 minutes to members of the Barbie Collector.com member section, Pop Life Ken made history as the very first Platinum Label Ken doll in the Barbie Collector line.  He joins the Pop Life series of dolls that include Barbie, Christie and Kelly, all of which were Gold Label dolls.  Designed by Bill Greening, the Pop Life™ dolls have Mod era inspired geometric patterned clothing and Pivotal™ body sculpts. A different color mod chair accompanies each doll.  His new head mold is an inspired reproduction of the 1968 Ken head mold which you can read about here: Feature Story Archive 02.11.01.

He was reported to be using the Speed Racer Gift Set (Barbie and Ken) and/or Superman Returns Ken as Superman body mold, but he actually uses the Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus Prince Aidan Doll body mold which is noticeable by the size of his hands and skinner legs.

Featuring a brand new body mold sculpt that was shown at the 2009 National Barbie Collectors Convention, Twilight Edward Doll is the first doll to use this new sculpt.  Besides being more muscular, the off-stance is interesting with the sculpt appearing as though the weight of the body is centered on the left leg, which is similar to the female "model muse" body mold composition.  The arms are also crafted differently with ball joints at the shoulders for lots of movement.  However the elbows or knees are not jointed.

The skin tone is very light (obviously since Edward is a Vampire) with a sparkle effect applied to the face, neck and front half of his torso, but this sparkle effect is not used on any other part of the body.  The overall look of the doll is based off the author of the Twilight book saga Stephenie Meyer's vision of Edward, and this is also a new head mold sculpt!

The Ken® trademark name is not used for this doll, but I thought you might like to see some pictures (follow the link above) as this body (and hopefully head) mold will be used going forward for future Ken dolls.

A second movie in the series, New Moon, is due this fall with Mattel promising more dolls including the character Jacob is with a new, beefier body than Edward.

Barbie in A Mermaid Tale Doll

A brand new swim-line doll also appears that will become a symbol of the state of the economy.  Barbie in A Mermaid Tale Doll is exactly the same as last year's Beach Party Ken with a few differences...most notably that the Ken® trademark name is not used for this doll and the exclusion of accessories.  The only differences you will see (except the obvious fashion change) is a lighter blonde hair color and lost fashion details and accessories.  The packaging is even similar.  I have provided a picture below so you can compare.  I will admit I like the eye painting on the new doll better.  The only other thing inspiring is the black doll in the line has a new name "Grace".  You can see all the dolls in the line from a picture on the box back by following the link above.

Abruptly, Mattel announced that "the Palm Beach Ken doll was a preliminary concept, and is not moving forward as part of the 2010 Barbie Fashion Model Collection. The doll will not be manufactured".

Earlier, Mattel was quoted as saying "It's a legitimate concept that leaked out," said Michelle Chidoni, Mattel spokesperson. "The collector community has a message board (Barbiecollector.com) and this doll concept leaked onto the message board."

We've explored this character, but it's not finalized," she added. "The concepts that we're talking about now are for 2010-2011. This was a character we explored and that's the long and short of it. But these aren't dolls you'll see at Toys R Us."

The doll made it as far as dealer sites with a  model number (T3285) and a release date of April 2010 and approximate price of $70.  After that, Palm Beach Ken made quite the rounds on celebrity blogs, mostly sexualizing and stereotyping the concept.

If you happen to be one of these media sorts looking for a quote or sensational angle from Keeping Ken, this website's official comment is "We are sorry Palm Beach Ken won't be joining Barbie on the beach scene!"

Sizzling with silver streaked hair and seen walking the pooch "Sugar", this doll was highly anticipated by not only Ken collectors, but collectors of the BFMC (Barbie Fashion Model Collection) line.  He would have been the third Ken doll in this line following his predecessors Fashion Insider Ken Doll Giftset (2002) and Barbie Fashion Model Collection 45th Anniversary Gift Set (Barbie® and Ken®) (2003).  It's been a long wait, but Mattel promises that Ken will be represented soon in the BFMC line!

The April 2009 edition of dollsmagazine.com showed a sneak of the 2009 playline.  Barbie's 50th Anniversary will be celebrated with the return of Kelly, Stacie, Skipper, Ken and Barbie in the Camping Family line whicheven includes a Glamour Camper!

I saw all the dolls in the line at TRU, including Camping Family Ken whick I have included on the Keeping Ken The Millennium Era 2 2006-Beyond page.

It's obvious that Mattel doesn't show signs of discontuning the use of the PTR arms even on this slightly more expensive version of Ken ($12.99) but are using the improved arms for other male dolls in the Barbie line. (See related story below).  You will also notice a slight change to the "Ken" logo used on the front.

PICTURED BELOW:  Camping Family Ken

Photo spread from Dolls Magazine.

Barbie and The Three Musketeers Prince Doll

I was also able to locate the Barbie and The Three Musketeers Prince Doll which is also now included on the Keeping Ken The Millennium Era 2 2006-Beyond page.  Typical fare, same concept but for whatever reason he looks very striking, I think because of his Prince fashion and the way his eyes are painted.  He has the new PTS arms.

PICTURED BELOW:  Barbie and The Three Musketeers Prince Doll

UPDATE: Looks like these last three fashions were intended for a later release.  Here are three pictures of these fashions below (and the are available) at ToysRUs.com.  Released and available in LIMITED quantities! These never showed up in any stores in my area.  Marked with a 2009 box date.  I have provided links below the fashion picture.

2009 Ken Fashion #N7497

2008 Ken Fashion #N7495

I had reported earlier that I saw three new fashions for Ken on a few eBay auctions. (1) Dark blue striped sweat pants with gray l/s hoodie and gray loafers and cell phone, (2) Gray long pants with maroon shirt/light blue long sleeves and navy/white/gray sneakers and sunglasses and (3) dark jeans and red thermal l/s shirt with sewn on camo vest with boots and sunglasses.  I didn't see them in stores but I found what (I believe) to be different ones than I saw on eBay...but for sure I can report on the three I am certain of.  I found these at Target.  The new fashions are no longer labeled "Guy Time".  They use the "Ken" trademark.  Here is a promotional picture of all three with links below for close-ups. Thanks to James from the "He's A Doll!" Yahoo board for additional info on these fashions! Also Linda adds from the "He's A Doll!" Yahoo board..."Actually, I think there are 8 new Ken outfits...the 4 outfit Barbie sets See below) that each have a Ken outfit with them, the singles in slightly longer packages that included   Has Ken ever had so many choices out there at once?" Barbie Fashion Trend Sets Plus, I located (mentioned above) 2 new 2008 Barbie with Ken Fashion #N4859 fashion assortment out there which is part of the Barbie Fashion Trend Set called "Miami Sunset Date" and 2008 Barbie with Ken Fashion #N4858.  UPDATE: I also found the third set with a tuxedo fashion for Ken which James found from a Polish auction service.  Picture link HERE.  Thanks to James for posting these pictures and another new one! I will add pictures soon!

2009 Ken Fashion #N7496

KEN FASHIONS! 2008 Ken Fashion #N4872 2008 Ken Fashion #N4873 2008 Ken Fashion #N4874

Gareth Pugh Ken Doll

In honor of 50 years of fabulous fashion, Ken is styled by one of London's most significant male fashion talents Gareth Pugh.

The RARE Ken Styled by Gareth Pugh doll was unveiled at the colette store in Paris on March 12, 2009.  Only 50 hand-crafted dolls were created by the designer.  You can read more about the event at dazeddigital.com

With his strong design aesthetic, Gareth Pugh has become a highlight of the international fashion calendar. Black patent leather has become a signature of Gareth's work, and he has chosen to dress his hand made limited edition Ken doll in a look inspired by his first menswear collection, which illustrates his penchant for contrasting matt and shiny surfaces.
"Ken came backstage at my Fall/Winter 2009/10 show and selected his favorite outfit for me to recreate exclusively for him." G. Pugh.

I have added this doll to the listings and you can see more pictures by following this link:  Ken Styled by Gareth Pugh

PICTURED LEFT:  The Ken Doll Styled by Gareth Pugh is unveiled at the colette store in Paris.

New Arms for Ken?

It would seem that slowly but surely that Mattel may be making improvements to Ken's body parts.  Apparently they are showcasing these improvements on every doll except Ken.

It's mostly about the recent new arms showing up first on the Mattel male Disney dolls in 2007 and pretty much every other non-Ken trademarked doll thereafter like the recent Wedding Day Sparkle Groom Doll, Barbie & The Diamond Castle Twin Musician Doll and Barbie Mariposa Prince Doll.  Technically, we can't say they haven't been used for Ken, because they were recently discovered on the Ken In India (India, European Edition), but this version was not produced for the domestic market.

The new arms are slightly different from what we are accustomed to.  They are sort of like an in-between of the PTR (Point To Rear) arms and the PTS (Point To Side) arms.  Literally, the position of the hands is in between PTS and PTR.

Also, the new arms have a significant elbow.

So what should we call these new arm molds? Please send me you suggestions and we will christen these arms with a new collector reference!

Check out this site from my friend Olga from Poland who breaks it all down with lots of comparative pictures! Plus she has a graph of the Mattel male doll body molds at:  http://dollcollector.wordpress.com/

PICTURED RIGHT:  New dolls Wedding Day Sparkle Groom Doll (LEFT) has the new arms, while Ken doll (RIGHT) still uses the PTR arms.  Photo courtesy of Olga.

Wedding Day® Barbie® Doll and Ken® Doll Gift Set

Barbie Collector has announced three new male dolls in their 2009 Fall line! Wedding Day® Barbie® Doll and Ken® Doll Gift Set is due in June 2009; this set will retail for about $66.  This Vintage reproduction will feature Ken dressed in a reproduction of Tuxedo #787 and the Barbie ensemble is a reproduction of Wedding Day Set #972.  Ken is a flocked brunette similar to 45th Anniversary Ken and Barbie is a brunette #1 reproduction.  BarbieCollector.com has a picture posted at this link:  Wedding Day® Barbie® Doll and Ken® Doll Giftset!

Next are two "celebrity" dolls in the Pop culture line.  Elvis Presley® Jailhouse Rock™ Doll is due in the fall, Elvis can be in the house for about $45. 

The Christmas Show (Fred Mertz) Doll is a Platinum Label doll that will be coming to Wal-Mart in the fall, for about $48.  His character is new to the I Love Lucy show line of dolls! You can see a picture at this link:  BarbieCollector.com - News - Preview the Fall 2009 Barbie® Collector Line
 

Prinz Doll (European Market)

A European market exclusive doll that doesn't use the Ken trademark and looks similar to the doll below is Prinz Doll (European Edition).  Erik reports the following:  "There's a new Prinz Ken in Town! I found this doll at Toys r us in Germany. The box doesn't show a name anywhere but the the shelf label says "Prinz Ken" which means Prince Ken in English.  His Stock No is "N5025". The box backside says "Relive the magic and excitement of all your favourite Barbie™ movies with this handsome royal prince doll." So it seems like it's not an official "Ken" doll.  He looks like he's "Ken in India's" twin brother."
Here are some pictures below! I hope to get this doll soon (plus last year's European market Sleeping Beauty Prince Doll that I was never able to locate).

More pictures here:  Prinz Doll (European Edition)

Wedding Day Sparkle Groom Doll

I finally located the new Wedding Day Sparkle Groom Doll, box dated 2008, a near match to last year's Wedding Day Groom Doll.  The NEW 2008 Groom has dark brunette hair and brown eyes.  Like many others, I waited to find a batch that didn't have crooked painted eyes, which many of you are reporting as a serious problem with this doll.  I was anticipating this doll so much mostly because  finally...another doll with brunette hair and brown eyes!! So when I found a batch with good eyes, I got it and then went home to be EXTREMELY disappointed with the cheap one-piece fashion and the use of non-bendable legs (reported from James earlier), which I guess is the new norm on the "Doll" dolls that don't bear the Ken trademark.  I will seriously start complaining if this trend continues.  Sure it's a play line doll, but I immediately noticed the shortcut cost savings on this doll.  The box is even poorly constructed, held together by tape on the back (which won't bold well for preservation 20 years from now).  I normally find something I like with every Mattel male Barbie line doll, but I can't find anything nice to say about this one.  In my history book this doll will probably go down as truly THE example of how to cut costs in every single way in a recession.  And while I do enjoy a molded hair doll every once in awhile, it scares me to think that we will be seeing many more, in the spirit of cost cutting.  It makes me think back to darker times when the male doll was just an after thought in the line.  Let's give Barbie a nice fashion and lots of rooted hair and save all the costs we put into the female doll on the male doll. Mattel could have at least enhanced the fashion or the body of this doll.  It's just not fair to cheap-out on the male dolls.  I am truly surprised I actually bought it.  I spent $11.44 on it at Wal-Mart.  Thank goodness I was smart enough to find the lowest price.  It's like a cheap knock-off of a Mattel doll, but is actually a Mattel doll.  Mattel needs to start paying more attention to what is being passed off as quality merchandise from the play line department...even in a recession.

Beach Party! Ken and Steven

Thanks to all my spotters who alerted me that the new Beach Party! dolls were making it to store shelves! As you can see, I found both Beach Party Ken and Beach Party Steven (at Toys R Us).  Both are standard swim dolls, and this time around they have molded hair.  As you can see, Ken is using the head mold from Wedding Day Groom Doll (with the same eye and eyebrow stencils or decals) and Steven is using the head mold from Wedding Day Groom Doll AA.  Maybe this is the beach honeymoon??

OTHER NEWS!

• I acquired an extraordinarily MINT NRFB example of Brad (Bendable Leg) to add to my collection! Sweet!!
• Reading Material: If you want to read my latest interview, head over to Collectors Weekly.  It's featured on the Ken and Barbie pages with a link.
• I had never seen this, now I have it.  You have to LOVE 1989! Ken Cool Jeans Fashion # 8731

NEW KEN FASHIONS!

2008 Ken Fashion #N4872

2008 Ken Fashion #N4873

2008 Ken Fashion #N4874

He’s A Doll! - Collector’s Club is officially forming and we want you to be a part of it! He’s A Doll! is recognized as an official Ken doll collector’s club from Mattel. It was formed in 2007 as an Internet based male fashion doll collector’s club focused on the Ken doll by Mattel. A Yahoo group was started to keep us all in contact and organized as a club.  We are now ready to take the next step and form the club with a membership drive. The drive will take place from April 1, 2009 through May 10, 2009.

We're glad to have Ken® doll collector enthusiasts join our club.  If you are interested in joining, we have a Yahoo group located here:  He's A Doll!

We are pleased to offer these exciting benefits with your “He’s A Doll!” 2009 membership:

• Welcome letter with an exclusive He’s A Doll! - Club member pin

• Opportunity to purchase a specially designed club t-shirt and future club items

• Continued access to the He’s A Doll! - Yahoo bulletin board

• An invitation to the annual He’s A Doll! - Club meeting and social event at the 2009 NBDCC

• Access to a NEW exclusive He’s A Doll! Club website featuring:

o       Club newsletter

o       Event announcements

o       Member profiles

o       Contests

o       Doll related activities

o       And LOTS more fun stuff

So don’t delay…join and send in you application starting April 1, 2009! You can send you application either by mail or electronically. We would love to have you as an official He’s A Doll! - Club member!

1,000,000

Fashion Fever Ken

Looking WAY hot is the new edition of Fashion Fever Ken (Fourth Edition) I am loving the way the eyes are painted.  Drawbacks are the use of the PTR arm molds and it looks as though the messenger bag was omitted from production.  Cell phone charms are attached to the box.  Brad found this Ken at Kohl's.  I found my edition at Target! He is now listed on the Keeping Ken The Millennium Era 2 2006-Beyond page!

Brad found Barbie & The Diamond Castle Twin Musician Doll at TRU.  A new head mold and use of the arms like the Disney guys last year! Only one doll is available to create "twins" Anyway, I really like the new head mold, but I like molded hair dolls as much as the rooted versions.  Interestingly, the head mold is marked with the stock number of the doll, so this may be a one times use?  It is also interesting to note that Mattel is producing quite a few new head molds for their lines that don't use the Ken® trademark name.

This doll has also been added to the Keeping Ken The Millennium Era 2 2006-Beyond page and the new head mold has been added to the Keeping Ken/Ken Parts Department page.

Erik from Germany has alerted me of a new Mattel male doll that is appearing in that market.  Petra from Finland  has also located this doll!

His face mold is identical with the Caucasian version of Barbie as The Island Princess Prince Antonio Doll but has lighter brown hair and steel blue eyes."

I have added this doll to the Keeping Ken The Millennium Era 2 2006-Beyond page and you can find a bigger picture and a picture of the back of the box here:  Sleeping Beauty Prince Doll.

Thanks for the info from my international friends for this news (and the pictures provided by Erik)! I hope to add him to my collection soon!

Mariposa Prince Doll In other male doll news from Mattel, it was rumored that a male doll will be introduced into the Fairytopia™ line named Carlos.  Brad found the Mariposa Prince Doll after going to Toys R Us for a few days in a row.  He said he is just labeled Prince and didn't see any mention of the name Carlos being used on his shipping carton or box.  He is described on the back as 'Meet the prince!  He's a butterfly fairy friend from the new Barbie Mariposa DVD!'    This is also another new head mold kind of similar to the prince from 2006.  He also has pointy ears!

Wedding Day Doll

When pictures of the Fantasy Groom dolls were  released, they look exactly like the Barbie as The Island Princess Prince Antonio Dolls.  The descriptions also hinted that these dolls were somehow tied into the Barbie Princess line, so maybe these dolls are actually second versions of the Antonio dolls dressed for the wedding?  We now know that the Barbie as The Island Princess Rosella & Antonio Wedding Gift Set was produced, and these new dolls are actually called Wedding Day (Pictured Below).  I finally found Wedding Day Groom Doll and he has a NEW molded hair head mold marked 2007 Mattel on the back of his head. Island Princess Prince Antonio says 2005, 2006 Mattel. The most noticeable difference is the part in his hair.  This doll will not be using the Ken trademark.

PICTURED BELOW:  Actual pictures of the Wedding Day Caucasian doll with a new head mold marked 2007 Mattel.  (Photos courtesy of Brad).  PICTURED BOTTOM:  Promo photos of the Wedding Day dolls.  The Caucasian version shows The Island Princess Prince Antonio head mold.

Guy Time™ Fashions

Ken has a new fashion line called Guy Time™! I found 3 new fashions under this label at TRU this weekend! They use the new logo pop art that is the same image used on the Fashion Fever Ken (Third Edition) (see story below) box.

This is probably the best thing that has happened all year! For now, enjoy the new fashions, the return of fashions with the Ken® trademark and a specific male fashion line!

Anyway, here are some links of all three of the fashions:  Guy Time Fashion #L9797, Guy Time Fashion #L9798 and Guy Time Fashion #L9799.

I think I saw another fashion from pictures on another website, maybe a set (like those big Fashion Fever sets with several pieces), but I'm not sure? I'll look into that...

PICTURED ABOVE:  New logo pop art.

Surf's Up Beach Ken and Steven

pinkponytail.com has pictures of the new Surf's-Up Beach Ken and Steven dolls on the site! (Pictured below).  I haven't found Steven yet, but I have added Ken to the Keeping Ken The Millennium Era 2 2006-Beyond page.

It's the most glamorous beach party ever and Ken® and Steven dolls are cool in the latest sporty beach fashion, hanging out with friends. Both dolls wears hip shorts and a short sleeve button down shirt. Comes with a cool friendship bracelet.

Surf's-Up™ Ken® 2007
L9548

Surf's-Up™ Steven® 2007
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Please submit questions to mailto:jef@manbehindthedoll.com and have them answered here.  Due to the volume of mail received, I cannot respond to individual e-mails sent to "Ask Keeping Ken".

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Q: I found this booklet that has some Ken® fashions in it that I have never seen before.  Can you give me some insight as to where these are from?-Barb A: This fashion booklet was included in the Ken® dolls made by Industrias Rotoplast under license from Mattel in Venezuela in the late 1980's.  I have three of these versions Olimpico Ken, Jean Ken and Llanero Ken and all of the have the same booklet, which I have pictured on this page: Venezuela Ken Fashion Booklet. I would think if you could locate any of them it would be an amazing find, since I have never personally seen any of the six pictured.  It took me forever to even acquire the thee dolls!