Mattel frames it as a natural progression, coming the year after the Barbie diversity push, but this is just as much, if not more so, a business decision for the toy company that's been trying to turn around its core Barbie business. Mattel is also aiming to introduce modern fashion trends and styles for a younger generation. As revealed on Good Morning America, there will be 15 new Kens in total, using three different body types ("broad, slim and original"), seven different skin tones, and nine different hair styles including corn rows and the aforementioned man bun.
Barbie's companion Ken has undergone a wide-ranging makeover with the United Kingdom launch of varying body sizes, skin tones and hairstyles including a man bun and corn rows.
We are redefining what a Barbie or Ken doll looks like to this generation, said Mattels Lisa McKnight, who oversees the Barbie line.
His girlfriend Barbie now has 25 diverse figures in the Fahionistas collection.
This mirrors the new tall, curvy and petite body types introduced for Barbie dolls a year ago.
Mattel is trying to fight falling sales of its iconic doll line at a time when many kids would rather play with an iPad.
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Then I added in some weather forecasts that suggested there might be favourable conditions for the Lions forwards at Eden Park . It is the final midweek match of the tour. "We've done a lot of preparation around game plans and what we think might work".
The 40 different doll options in Mattel's new "Barbie Fashionista" crew encompasses seven body types, 11 skintones and 28 hairstyles. In 2016, Barbie introduced three new Barbie body types - tall, curvy and petite - along with new skin tones, eye colors, hairstyles and fashions and accessories. Or Latino. Or has a man bun.
That is to say, the new Kens come in a variety of skin tones and have cornrows and man buns, etc. Ken will be available in multiple sizes: original, broad (nothing wrong with saying fat) and slim.
The rollout comes after weak sales for maker Mattel in the first quarter of 2017.
While some may be dragging the prototype, others are celebrating the doll's new look.
So you want to meet some the new Kens? The dolls cost $9.99 online, and most can be pre-ordered.
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