My First 'First' Ken

A couple of years ago, I bought my 'second' first original vintage Ken. I say 'second first' because this is my second original Ken, but my first that I can dress and play with. On the first of this year, I found my 'first' first Ken at the thrift store, but he came in an outfit that was sewn on, and I love the outfit and am not going to remove it. I think it's a colonial-era style of outfit. So while he's my first original Ken, I didn't have one that I could 'play' with. I have that one put away for the time being until I can properly display him. I bought one from ebay a couple of years ago that I liked, and he is my first Ken that I am able to do things with. I bought him with a few outfits, and he has been my first foray into vintage Ken. I hadn't encountered many Ken clothing items, and was thrilled with their quality. "His tiny clothes are so perfect!", was my first reaction. Absolutely nothing like the quality of Ken clothes (and all doll clothes in general) that Mattel puts out today, even in the collector dolls. His flocked hair has some spots missing, but that is fixable and no issue to me. I didn't want an expensive Ken doll that I could potentially ruin by accident. I have that kind of luck!

Here are his photos from before he came to me:

I do have other vintage Ken dolls, but they are not the first ones to have come out, they are from later years with molded hair, instead of flocked. I like the original Ken. I don't know why Mattel won't reproduce him, they flood the market with loads of other reproductions. If it's because they don't want to do flocking, they could release him with just the painted hair. Who knows why they do what they do.

Coming Soon vs. Not Coming Soon

March will mark 60 years of Barbie, and they are releasing some ugly celebratory dolls. They won't be releasing the light pink doll, that is unavailable to the market. The fuschia Barbie has some perks, but the continuation of the napkin dress dolls wearing white are a huge let-down.

The faces are cute, the non-caucasian one looks like Ariana Grande, but they have got to stop making this stupid napkin dress, it looks like a bored waitress has been designing these dresses for the last ten years. On the job, with satin napkins to fold and tie to Barbie, they're tired and dull looking, enough is enough.
I hate to continue to complain about Mattel, but they inspire such unhappiness in me of the brand. If they continue as they have, they won't make it to 70.

Here's the odd fuschia and the lovely light pink.