Keeping Ken  Keeping Ken Terms & Abbreviations  Keeping Ken A thru Z 


This page represents KenŽ items from 1961 until the present that are considered verified prototypes or concept items that they never made it into production.  I will try to provide dates and model numbers if known.  If you own verified genuine Mattel prototype Ken items, please send me pictures and descriptions so I may include them on this page.

Ken is a registered trademark of Mattel, Inc. These pages are neither affiliated with, nor a representative of Mattel, Inc. Material provided on these pages do not in any way reflect the opinions of Mattel, Inc.

 

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1960 Plaster Mattel Prototype Flock Hair Ken Head Mold

At the 2006 National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention, Mattel displayed rare prototype head molds representing the conceptualization of the first and other Kens doll from their vault seen on these pages: National Barbie Convention 2006-Exhibit -- "Treasures from Mattel's Vault" Page 8 and National Barbie Convention 2006-Exhibit -- "Treasures from Mattel's Vault" Page 9.  This example from my personal collection shows a hand-painted Flock Hair Ken plaster example.  (A gift from Sandi Holder)

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1964 Ken Little Theatre Prototype Fashions

At the 2006 National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention, Mattel displayed rare prototype Little Theatre Ken fashions that were never produced.  Ken fashions Julius Caesar, Romeo, The Mad Hatter, an unnamed Pilgrim type fashion and an unnamed 18th century style fashion to accompany a Marie Antoinette Barbie fashion (also not produced) were shown.

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1971 Live Action Ken Prototype Doll

At the 2006 National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention, Mattel displayed rare prototype dolls including this one of Live Action Ken doll.  Obviously he is much different than the production doll!

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1971 Mod Hair Ken Prototype Head Mold

At the 2006 National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention, Mattel displayed rare prototype head molds representing the conceptualization of the first and other Kens doll from their vault.  This example (pictured left) is a rooted blonde version of Mod Hair Ken.  The production version had brown rooted hair.

 

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1974 Best Buy Fashions #7761 Mattel Fashion Sample

Similar to the pattern for this fashion is this uncompleted fashion sample from Mattel.  The fashion is sewn but the lapel backs and bottom retain pinned down.  This sample was never produced.  From my personal collection. (A gift from Sandi Holder)

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1978 Sport & Shave Ken Mattel Prototype Head Mold

This prototype head mold from Mattel was later used for the production doll.  The prototype is marked "TAIWAN" on the back underside rim and has black color rooted hair, unlike the production doll that doesn't have this marking and brown rooted hair.  From my personal collection. (A gift from Sandi Holder)

 

 

 

Picture 1990   On the Go Ken and Fashion
On the Go Ken was pictured and listed for 1990 release along with a separate fashion in the Mattel dealer catalogue.  Later, he, along with On the Go Barbie were canceled by Mattel and dropped off official Barbie product listings.

 

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1994 Model #12000 Motorcycle Ken and Model #12126 Motorcycle Ken Black

Mattel trimmed the 1994 Barbie line which included these two Ken dolls that were listed by Mattel but were later dropped.  Model #12000 is pictured in the link.

  1997 Ralph Lauren Ken Prototype

Probably around the same time as Ralph Lauren BarbieŽ doll available exclusively at Bloomingdale's, this Ken doll is also clothed in authentic Ralph Lauren designs, but never made it into production.  Owned by Judene Hansen, owner of Dream Dolls Gallery & More, he is on display in the museum there of OOAK dolls bears and toys.

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1998   College Football Ken Prototypes

Made to accompany the produced Barbie College Cheerleader dolls, this picture was released by Mattel showing the College Football Ken dolls but they never made it into production.

 

 

1999 Fishin' Ken and Fishin' Ken AA

Mattel trimmed the 1999 Barbie line which included these two Ken dolls that were announced in dealer catalogues but were later dropped.  No known pictures are available.

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1999   Totally Yo-Yo Zach

Hopes ran high at the beginning of 1998 with the announcement of "Zach", a new male friend of SkipperŽ.  Joining her in the "Totally Yo-Yo" line, Zach doll's face was prominently pictured in Mattel literature and major BarbieŽ publications.

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1999   First Haircut Tommy Model #22012

Haircut Tommy was pictured and listed for 1999 release.  Later, he was canceled by Mattel and dropped off official Barbie product listings.

 

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2010 Sugar Daddy Palm Beach Ken Model #T3285

Mattel announced that Sugar Daddy Palm Beach Ken doll was a preliminary concept, and is not moving forward as part of the 2010 Barbie Fashion Model Collection.  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.