Inclusive Barbie Now Has a Diverse Ken Doll to Match
Barbie’s been going through some major makeovers in recent years, becoming more inclusive as well as body-positive. And while the boy Lammily doll was basically a faux Ken that embraced body-positivity as well, now the *real* Ken has gone through some changes of his own, making him as charming as ever, yet much more inclusive.
Ken will be released in 15 (!!!) new versions this year (10 today and five more over the coming months), each dude ranging in skin tone, facial features, hair style, body shape and style.
Though we have to say they look kinda stereotypically hipster for the most part (with a few preppy fellas thrown in), you gotta note the man bun, the cactus shirt, and the faded denim.
“Evolving Ken was a natural evolution for the brand,” Lisa McKnight, Barbie’s Senior Vice President and General Manager, said in a press release according to ABC, adding, “[This] allows girls to further personalize the role they want him to play in Barbie’s world.” Gotta love the fact that Mattel is now totally on board with showing little girls that *they* can choose the role men play in *their* lives instead of it being the other way around.
While it’s a little strange at first to see Ken looking so varied and different, this is definitely a step forward when it comes to allowing kids to see themselves and the IRL people around them reflected in their toys.
Check out a few of the new Kens below…
What do you think of the new diverse Ken dolls? Let us know @BritandCo!
(h/t ABC; photos via Chris Jackson/Getty, Mattel)
