Ken's Fashion & Career

Barbie is designed as a fashion doll, thereby giving children the offering children the chance to envision their dreams by customising her appearance (Ho, 2023). This symbolises a new ideal for girls: the freedom to look however they desire while pursuing any aspiration they choose (Ho, 2023). Many people talk about the pleasant childhood fantasies realised by playing with beautiful and fashionable dolls (Hope, 1996). Yet, there is little information about Kens role herein. In the Barbie Movie (2023) only Barbie is showcased in a variety of stylish outfits and represents different careers (Ho, 2023), but Ken is only represented as beach boy (Pierce-Bohen, 2023). 

Indeed, originally did not have as many outfit choices and career paths (Mattel, n.d.). Today, however, the Ken doll is included in the two lines Mattel created for the Barbie brand. The fashionista dolls represent a variety of fashion choices for both Barbie and Ken and the career dolls have a significant number of different jobs for Barbie and Ken (Mattel, n.d). Since 2017, Ken has over fourty jobs and more than a hundred different looks (Pierce-Bohen, 2023; Weaver, 2017; Carlin, 2023). Over the years, Ken’s fashion choices have reflected the style of the times (Barbie Media, n.d.). In the 1970s, for instance, Mattel redesigned Barbie and Ken dolls based on actors who were popular because television threatened Barbie’s status at that time (Wright, 2003). As such, Mattel launched the Super Star line where Barbie and Ken were designed to look like the popular stars from the time (see images) (Tulinski, 2017). These different outfits and jobs enable children to play and imagine different scenarios both with regards to creative expression and aspiration towards a future, expanding the imaginary world shared by dolls and children (Wright, 2003, p. 50).