Barbie's boy: Looking back on Mattel's main man Ken -

Greta Gerwig's 2023 movie 'Barbie' was the first live-action film based on the famous fashion doll. While Margot Robbie portrays one of the most iconic toys in modern history, Ryan Gosling quite literally played a supporting role, in the same way that Ken has since he was first introduced as Barbie's love interest in 1961. But there's a lot more to Ken than meets the eye, so let's take a closer look at Barbie's boyfriend.

Intrigued? Click through the gallery and meet Ken, the other half of the Barbie story.

© Getty Images

The first Ken doll -

Barbie made her first appearance in March 1959. Ken was introduced as her counterpart two years later, in 1961. Interestingly, he made his debut wearing only a swimsuit. Barbie, meanwhile, was already benefiting from a range of fashionable clothing. Pictured is the very first Ken doll. 

© Getty Images

Welcome, Ken -

Ken, however, quickly caught up in the clothing department, and was given his own fashionable line of apparel. In this 1961 photograph, a young boy looks on and scratches his head in confusion as a younger girl inspects the new line of Ken dolls. Incidentally, Ken's full name is Kenneth Sean Carson while Barbie's is Barbara Millicent Roberts.

© Getty Images 

Ken's early wardrobe -

Ken quickly ditched the beach boy look for a more preppy style. Pictured is Ken's wardrobe from 1961. 

© Getty Images 

Vintage clothing and hairstyle issues -

According to Barbie folklore, Ken met Barbie on the set of a TV commercial. He cut a dashing figure, standing 30 cm (12 in) tall, with a crown of flowing hair made of felt. Unfortunately, every time Ken got his hair wet, it fell out! So, he switched to a plastic molded look. 

© Getty Images 

Trendsetter -

Over the years Ken's wardrobe has evolved to reflect the fashion trends of the day. But he often likes to dress down. This travel case set is packed with an assortment of casual wear. 

© Getty Images 

Totally Hair Ken -

It actually took 11 years for Ken to get "real" hair (in 1992 Totally Hair Ken, pictured, made waves with rooted hair and a tube of styling gel. His look reflected the changing hairstyles of the early '90s). But his fixed smile was always dimpled, his head could swivel, and he had arms that could bend. Oh, and he was permanently blessed with a muscular physique. 

© Getty Images 

Ken, the all-American -

Ken has always been a clean-cut all-American kinda guy, someone you could quite happily introduce to your mother. And he'd always bring flowers.  

© Getty Images 

The many faces of Ken -

But ever mindful of the fickle fashion world—and a fast-changing cultural landscape—the puppet masters at Mattel were always experimenting with Ken's veneer. In this image, Ken doll prototypes are seen at a workshop in the Mattel design center. 

© Getty Images 

Sunsational Malibu Ken -

In 1982 Sunsational Malibu Ken doll, the first African American Ken doll, hit the streets. Looking smart in his suit, he even had a cool rooted Afro hairstyle. 

© Getty Images 

Magic Earring Ken -

A little over a decade later in 1993, a Ken doll appeared called Earring Magic Ken, released by Mattel as a companion to its Earring Magic Barbie figure. Featuring an updated look which included blond highlights in his traditionally brown hair, a purple shirt, lavender vest, and a necklace with a circular charm, Magic Earring Ken became the most profitable Mattel doll in history—and an unlikely gay icon. 

© Getty Images 

Denim-clad Ken -

Here's Ken in 1995, swathed in denim. He'd evolved through the funky disco styles of the 1970s and early '80s to the trendy styles of the 1990s. Ken has been a worldwide pop culture favorite for every era and for several generations.

© Getty Images 

California Dream Ken -

But for many Ken was still associated with sun, sand, and surf. In fact, Beach Bum Ken has been reproduced into 12 different versions between 1962 and 2002. California Dream Ken doll (pictured) from 1987 is pure vintage West Coast. 

© Getty Images 

The dolls break up -

In early 2004, after 43 years together, Ken and Barbie split. Months later Barbie began dating an Australian surfer doll named Blaine. Ken was pretty cut up. Fortunately, the lovelorn dolls got back together again on Valentine's Day 2011, just in time for their 50th anniversary. 

© Getty Images 

'Toy Story 3' (2010) -

Michael Keaton voiced Ken in 2010's 'Toy Story 3' and his character made no less than 50 wardrobe changes during the film. Despite their official split, Barbie and Ken looked good together on the big screen. Perhaps it was the couple's obvious cinema chemistry that persuaded Mattel to engineer a reunion the next year?

© BrunoPress

Ken & Co -

In the early 2000s the Ken doll still maintained a traditional, rather saccharin boy-next-door look, all white teeth, blue eyes, and blond-brown hair. But times were changing and within 10 years Ken would undergo a remarkable transformation.  

© Getty Images 

Ken at 50 -

Ken at 50 didn't look a day over 25. His good looks and sense of fashion had prevailed. And he'd won back his girl. But what would come next for Barbie's partner? 

© Getty Images 

New looks -

In 2021, Mattel announced 15 new looks for Ken. But this wasn't any old makeover. It included looks with different skin tones, body shapes, and hair styles. Barbie had undergone a similar transformation the previous year. 

© BrunoPress

Vitiligo Ken -

One of the most intriguing new looks for Ken was as a figure with vitiligo, a dermatologic disorder where a loss of skin melanocytes causes areas of skin depigmentation of varying sizes. Mattel believed in the power of representation and as the most diverse doll line on the market, was committed to maintaining the introduction of dolls featuring a range of skin tones, body types, and disabilities, the idea being to reflect the diversity kids see and embody in the world around them. 

© BrunoPress

Ken of color -

Ken's facial features were molded to reflect a more modern and diverse society. Mattel was keen for children to see themselves reflected in a product, but likewise wanted to encourage them to play with dolls that didn't resemble them. This, it was hoped, would help youngsters understand and celebrate the importance of inclusion and equality. 

© BrunoPress

Fashionistas range -

These new looks are all part of Mattel's Fashionistas ranges, of which there are two. Both Ken and Barbie are featured with vitiligo, and there are also dolls of color and those sitting in wheelchairs.  

© BrunoPress

Life imitating art -

Once called the human Ken doll, Brazilian Jessica Alves (formerly known as Rodrigo Alves before her successful gender transition) in fact modeled herself on Barbie and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on plastic surgery and other cosmetic procedures doing so.  

© Getty Images 

Human Ken doll -

Slovak-American Justin Jedlica is today regarded as the real human Ken doll. He, too, has spent a considerable amount of money on numerous cosmetic procedures to transform himself into Barbie's real-life boyfriend. 

© BrunoPress

Ken in the 2020s -

The Ken of the 2020s is nowhere near the Ken of 1961, except perhaps in eternally young looks. Instead he's hipper, far more modern, and experiments wildly with his sense of fashion. 

© BrunoPress

Model image -

As well as the girls, Ken's a big hit with the boys. In this promotional photograph a group of models clutch their Ken dolls and are dressed exactly in the same way as their corresponding mannequins. 

© Getty Images 

Christmas Ken -

Ken knows when to dress for a special occasion. Pictured are dozens of Ken dolls in Santa Claus costumes with a reindeer decorating the front window of a men's fashion boutique in Berlin, Germany.

© Getty Images 

Ken grabs the glory -

Barbie is still the "it" girl, but in this image of Mattel's Los Angeles headquarters, it's Ken that's grabbing all the glory.   

© Getty Images 

'Barbie' (2023) - In 2023, Greta Gerwig's 'Barbie' finally hit theaters. It was the first live-action movie based on the fashion doll after several animated films and television series. The beloved summer blockbuster made history as the first film directed by a woman to break US$1 billion at the box office.

© NL Beeld

Bright lights for Ken -

Ryan Gosling was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Ken, and was also nominated for Best Original Song thanks to his iconic performance of the hit 'I'm Just Ken.'

Sources: (Los Angeles Times) (Barbie Media) (Parade) (Daily Dot) (Vitiligo Society) (Mirror)

See also: Barbie's world—Mind-blowing facts about the doll you thought you knew

© NL Beeld