Ken Stuff

The initial impetus for my recent doll collecting spree was to amass celebrity dolls (Justin Beiber, Spice Girls, etc.) so I could make some videos. Along the way I managed to pick up a 1987 California Ken. Mostly for the clothes. But now I’ve purchased a second moulded hair bad boy — a 1988 Western Fun Ken.

I am amazed how easy it is to research vintage Barbies on the internet. I just typed “Ken Jumpsuit” into Google and immediately got a positive ID plus lots of pictures of Western Fun Ken in his original packaging. He is missing all kinds of accessories, such as shoes, a kerchief, a belt buckle and a hat. The motorcycle jacket is not original either, he should be wearing a fringed jacket. Luckily I had a denim Ken jacket from my Barbie clothing haul from a few weeks back.

Frankly I was a little surprised that there was anything Western about this Ken, what with the paint splattering pants and purple glitter belt. I guess turquoise equals the South West?

Another ‘80s Ken popped up in my image search: 1984’s Great Shape Ken. I realized that his t-shirt and workout pants were also part of my vintage haul. Again, considering that there must be a million dolls released since the 1980s, and that there is no great collector demand for these Ken’s and their clothes, I’m impressed how much information there is online.

One last ID. This bomber jacket from my doll clothes motherlode originally belonged to the Donnie Wahlberg/New Kids On The Block figure.