Earing Magic Ken Doll is a popular collectible toy that was introduced by Mattel in 1992. It was designed to be a more stylish and modern version of the classic Ken doll, which is the boyfriend of Barbie. The Earing Magic Ken Doll quickly gained attention and became a cultural phenomenon. What made the Earing Magic Ken Doll stand out was his unique fashion sense and edgy style. He had long, flowing blonde hair, a silver earring in his left ear, and wore trendy clothes that were popular in the 1990s. This doll was a departure from the conventional Ken doll, who was usually portrayed as preppy and conservative.
Tanner was only on the market for a year before being recalled, from 2006-07. As it turns out, the tiny plastic pieces of poop and the magnet in his pooper scooper were deemed possible choking hazards. (Also, maybe, just a little bit weird?) He was ultimately replaced in the Barbie canon by Taffy, another yellow lab.
He makes an appearance in Weird Barbie s house alongside his queer-coded counterpart from Palm Springs, and is played in the movie by English actor Tom Stourton. Played by Hannah Khalique-Brown in the film, Growing Up Skipper is different from her counterparts in that she literally grows up -- in multiple directions.
This doll was a departure from the conventional Ken doll, who was usually portrayed as preppy and conservative. The Earing Magic Ken Doll also came with a battery-powered cassette player, which was a groundbreaking feature at the time. This allowed kids to play music and create their own fashion shows or performances with the doll.
Earing Magic Ken Dolll
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M#: 2290 BD: 1992 HC: Painted Two Tone Blonde; Brown. C: Black pants with pink stitching. Lilac net shirt s/s. Lilac vinyl vest with pink stitching and silver ring attached. Silver ring on silver string around neck. Silver hoop earring in left ear. A: Black lace up dance oxfords. 1 Ken and 1 Barbie silver clip-on earring.
The MOST infamous Ken of all time!
By May of 1993, Mattel's new Ken doll introduced at the toy convention in New York City in February, was getting as much press as the new Coke! He was everywhere in the media including the front page of the New York Times Arts and Leisure section. Why all the hoopla? The first ear piercing? The two tone hair. the outfit? Yes, but most controversial was his choice of accessories.
"On closer inspection, Ken's entire Earring Magic outfit looks like three-year old rave wear. A Gaultier purple faux-leather vest, a straight-out-of-International-Male purple mesh shirt, black jeans and shoes. It would seem Mattel's crack Ken redesign team spent a weekend in LA or NY, dashing from rave to rave, taking notes and polaroids."
Because children read Keeping Ken, I'll leave it up to you to figure out exactly why his necklace and vest accessory caused such an uproar with parents and the general public. Earring Magic Ken was now dubbed the "Alternative Lifestyle" Ken by mainstream America.
I think this particular Ken reflects infiltration of popular culture in the time period. From MTV to hip activism, he mirrors what was "in" at the moment. Ken's redesign was created from advice of the little girls who play with him. They wanted Ken to look a "little cooler". He was on the brink of being discontinued and being replaced for a new boyfriend. This is what makes this particular doll so pivotal in Ken's history. Not only for the controversy that surrounded him; but the fact that the idea was bantered around to replace him. Controversy or not, when he flew off the shelves, he proved his appeal and marketing value in the Barbie line.
Originally priced at $11, Earring Magic Ken now sells NRFB for around $47 on the secondary market. By Christmas time in 1993 most stores were completely sold out of Kens, largely due to the Gay community's interest. Earring Magic Barbie and Midge were left on the shelves without a partner. Earring Magic Barbie was also available at Radio Shack that included software.
Above: On a date? It's Earring Magic driving with Secret Hearts, who is wearing a wrist corsage. This was a post card available for sale.
Below: One of the many examples of humor derived from the controversy.
The doll even had his own miniature microphone, allowing children to pretend they were rock stars or DJs. The doll was marketed as the ideal boyfriend for Barbie, who was known for her glamorous and fashionable lifestyle. Together, they formed the ultimate power couple of the toy world. The popularity of the Earing Magic Ken Doll quickly soared, and it became a must-have item for collectors and Barbie enthusiasts. However, the doll also sparked some controversy due to his unconventional appearance. Some conservative groups argued that the doll promoted gender non-conformity and went against traditional gender roles. This led to backlash and even calls for a boycott of the doll. Despite the controversy, the Earing Magic Ken Doll remains an iconic and nostalgic toy for many who grew up in the 1990s. It represents a time when toys were becoming more diverse and reflective of the changing cultural landscape. Today, the doll is highly sought after by collectors and can be found in various online marketplaces and auction sites. In conclusion, the Earing Magic Ken Doll was a revolutionary toy that broke the mold of traditional dolls. Its unique fashion sense and edgy style made it a cultural phenomenon, while its battery-powered cassette player added a new dimension of playability. Whether loved or criticized, this doll remains an important part of toy history..
Reviews for "The Fashion Influence of Earing Magic Ken Doll: Outfit Ideas for Real Life"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with the Earing Magic Ken Doll. First of all, the quality of the doll itself seemed very cheap. The clothing and accessories were poorly made and didn't fit properly. Additionally, the magic features were rather underwhelming. The earrings were supposed to change color when worn, however, they barely changed at all. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this doll as it doesn't live up to the hype or the price.
2. Mike - 1/5 - I have to say, the Earing Magic Ken Doll was a complete waste of money. Not only did the earrings fail to change color as advertised, but they also fell off easily and got lost within hours of playing with the doll. The doll's joints were stiff and restricted its movement, making it difficult for my child to have any fun with it. The clothes were also poorly made and ripped easily. Save your money and find a better quality doll.
3. Lisa - 2/5 - My daughter was really excited to get the Earing Magic Ken Doll, but it quickly turned into a disappointment. The earrings didn't actually change color, which was the main selling point of this doll. The hair on the doll was also poorly styled and looked messy. The clothes were cute, but they didn't fit properly and kept slipping off. Overall, this doll didn't meet our expectations and I wouldn't recommend it to others.