In 1976 Ken packaging was given a new style logo, which was used right through the Superstar era and beyond. This is also an important year for packaging: almost all Barbie & Ken boxes from here on would be pink (the exceptions tend to be European releases). “Blue for a boy and pink for a girl” has become so ingrained in Western society, that it is almost impossible to think that it’s barely been the ‘norm’ for 40 years, and is largely a construction of the US toy industry. If you look at Barbie’s early outfits, pink was rarely an option: her earliest underwear and bathroom accessories for example were pale blue. Pink on the other hand was the colour Mattel had originally chosen for Ken’s 1961 towel, before deciding on yellow. Pink was however the colour used on Barbie’s early outfit packaging, which is possibly why Mattel choose to push and promote pink as every young girl’s favourite colour.
MALIBU KEN #1088
The 1976 Malibu Ken (The Sun Set was dropped from here on) was sold in both Taiwan and Hong Kong versions, and came in the new pink box. The shorts I’ve photographed him in here aren’t exactly the right pair. The exact ones were made with a fabric which has nowadays mostly faded to a yellowish-green, as shown with the boxed version.
The Hong Kong version is almost identically-packaged. However, he comes with longer shorts, and has the new hand style, with the flat of the hand facing forward. This remains the standard Hong Kong design for this Mod Ken body. I have no idea why Mattel made this change, as it is a less natural pose and doesn’t facilitate holding any objects, or appear to have any other practical use.
FUNTIME KEN #7194
This is the second version of Funtime Ken, which was made with the new Hong Kong mold.
This pink box version is exceptionally rare, and must be a later version. Many thanks to Erica from Eliana’s Attic (Vintage doll store on Ebay) for the photos.
GOLD MEDAL KEN #7380
Gold Medal Ken was released in Europe. Also known in the Netherlands as Olympic Ken, in Germany as Gold Ken, and in France as Ken Olympique. A variation of this doll was released in Canada and Italy the following year (see the 1977 boys section). His box has the same design on both sides.
THE NOW LOOK KEN #9342
The first version of The Now Look Ken appeared. He has jaw-length rooted hair and side-pointing hands. He was the first Ken to have the ‘feathered’ eyebrow design. Until then, all Mod Kens had been given perfect crescent eyebrows. Maybe the thicker eyebrows were to compensate for the long hair, and make him look more manly. In Germany he was also known as To-Day-Look Ken, in Italy as Nuovo Ken Capelli Vere, and in France as Ken à la mode.
BOOKLETS & CATALOGUES
Note that Busy Ken (Ken Mani Vere) from 1972 was still available in Italy.
