Jump to content

A New Milestone: Barbie® Signature Ken™ 60th Anniversary Doll!

By BarbieSignatureAdmin

By Allen Voivod

 Barbie® debuted to worldwide acclaim on March 9, 1959. Two years and two days later, she would meet an extraordinary certain someone – a handsome young teenage gentleman named Ken Carson! And their lives would never be the same. Six decades later, Ken® doll still holds a special place in Barbie® doll's heart, and we're celebrating his debut with the Barbie® Signature Ken® 60th Anniversary Doll.

As the story goes, hundreds upon hundreds of Barbie® Fan Club letters poured into Mattel headquarters in Barbie® doll's early days, from fans who wanted Barbie® to have a boyfriend. Mattel gave the fans what they wanted, releasing the first Ken® dolls on March 11, 1961. Barbie®, of course, was named after Ruth and Elliot Handler's daughter, Barbara; Ken was named after their son, Kenneth.

"I did not own a Ken as a child, but when I started to collect vintage Barbie my late teens, of course I needed a #1 Ken," says Barbie® Signature designer Bill Greening. "I have some very minty examples in my current collection." Yet another reason why Bill was a perfect choice to design this doll!

In honor of that fateful day in 1961, when the world's most iconic couple was born, Barbie® Signature has created a vintage reproduction of the original Ken® doll, while using the modern Silkstone® doll body. Ken® wears his classic beach look – a pair of red cotton swim trunks with a white stripe and stylish brown beach sandals with red straps. He sports flocked, sunshine-blond hair; a yellow terry cloth towel; and a "Genuine Ken®" wrist tag, for the complete nostalgic experience.

"Based on his original commercial, you can see how he helped extend story lines for children, Bill notes. "Ken and Barbie went on dates, to the beach, the dance, etc. Barbie was no longer 'Solo in the Spotlight,' so to speak."

The 60th anniversary Ken® Doll is part of our Gold Label® series of dolls and will retail for $50.00 in the online shop. When he debuts, there will be a limit of two (2) dolls per person, so as many Ken® fans as possible – and Barbie® fans, too! – can add him to their collections. (This limit is subject to change at a later date.)

It's worth noting that the Barbie® 60th anniversary doll sold out in our online shop back in 2019. If you got that doll, then you've got to get this Ken® doll to complete the iconic pairing, right? And if you missed out on that Barbie® doll, then be sure you don't let this opportunity pass you by. Get the Barbie® Signature Ken® 60th Anniversary Doll in the shop right now!

 

 Share

Related News

Go to entries

User Feedback

Recommended Comments

danaguy71
42 minutes ago, Danny Carrington said:

I caught that too, I hope they issue a clarification.

I think the same thing happened with another doll they sold last last year........the anniversary one's in red.  Anyway, I sent them an email........hopefully they will credit my account back.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
danaguy71
19 hours ago, bigditto said:

Wait, why were they $60 and then $50?

 

I don't know but am trying to find out........still no response LOL.  I don't care as long as I get a credit back.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Dolllovindude1972

What a boring disappointing release for his 60th. The only cool dolls for his 60th are the three one of a kind dolls that will be auctioned off and go to some super rich person, that probably doesn't even really care about Ken dolls. As a Ken collector I was hoping for better and more from Mattel for this milestone, but yet again am left underwhelmed.

  • Like 1
  • Sad 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
danaguy71

I got this email today............at least they are refunding:

 

Thank you for your recent purchase of the Barbie® Ken™ 60th Anniversary Doll. Due to an error with pricing you were charged the incorrect amount for the Barbie® Ken™ 60th Anniversary Doll. As a result, we will be refunding you for the additional cost so that you will be charged the correct amount.
We apologize for the inconvenience. We hope you enjoy your Barbie® Ken™ 60th Anniversary Doll once it arrives and thank you for being a valuable part of our community!
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Dec Blue
On 3/12/2021 at 1:32 PM, Dolllovindude1972 said:

What a boring disappointing release for his 60th. The only cool dolls for his 60th are the three one of a kind dolls that will be auctioned off and go to some super rich person, that probably doesn't even really care about Ken dolls. As a Ken collector I was hoping for better and more from Mattel for this milestone, but yet again am left underwhelmed.

Same. Come on Mattel please release more Kens and ones fans actually want (like Signature Made to Moves with good fashions and  good hairstyles and good face sculpts).

Edited by Guest
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
JIMBARBIE

I LOVE MY 60TH ANNIVERSARY KEN(S)! I had a really almost impossible time finding an acceptable ORIGINAL vintage one. All of the examples I examined had either flocking issues or arm joint issues. Since purchasing a mint original #1 Barbie and Ken isn't a priority (nor financially an option) now. They'll have to suffice, and I personally am very happy with that option. However, some replica vintage costumes would be a very welcome accompaniment. Hope someone out there is listening.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

Jim

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
DREWO90

I got this doll right away when it came out and I am so happy with my purchase. I do not really buy Ken dolls at all but he pairs well with the other silkies in my collection. He is even better in person and I hope there will be more Ken silkstones in the future. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
MiKeY

MiKeY 1,476

Posted (edited)

I just received this Ken and I was kind of underwhelmed. Love the Silkstone body, but as a Ken collector I feel the presentation was a bit lacking. It was just kind of blah. He's in a pair of red swimming trunks, and sandals. Now I'm aware this is the original doll with outfit. But I wish Mattel would have put out another vintage version, other than this one. A brunette version of this very Ken was released before, although he was not Silkstone. But, at the very least he came with another outfit, which was great! I felt like that was worth the money, alone.

They are so many outfits to choose from, but this one keeps coming up. I wish we could see Allen again as well. If only Mattel would bring back Barbie's friends, and family. Just would like to see some variety and not just the "safe" options. There are so many beautiful vintage dolls.. I know this is a reach but, even 90's versions or early 2000's were fun. I miss the Happy family dolls too. The grandparents, just everything.  Anyways, happy for those who wanted this doll. Hopefully we can get more Ken's in the future, but also see some of Barbie's other friends and fam.

Edited by Guest
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites


Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Add a comment...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×

×
×
  • Create New...
Customer Service
Membership
Legal
About Us

Accepted Payment Methods

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • American Express
  • Discover
© 2024 Mattel