Ken back in Barbie’s world in a big way

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

It’s Ken’s 50th birthday — and Barbie wants her man back.

After a seven-year separation, the couple reunited on Valentine’s Day at the 2011 American International Toy Fair in New York.

Barbara “Barbie” Millicent Roberts was launched on March 9, 1959 (she was the first American doll with a teenage-girl figure). Ken Carson came along two years later on March 11, 1961. Created by Ruth Handler, wife of Mattel co-founder Elliot Handler, both dolls were named for the couple’s children.

The dolls were built around a fictitious storyline that had teen fashion model Barbie meeting Ken while filming a commercial. Romance blossomed and the Barbie and Ken union was formed.

Although dressed in bridal gowns by leading fashion designers such as Vera Wang and Monique Lhuillier, Barbie never made it to the altar with Ken. And after 43 years, in a breakup at Toy Fair in February 2004, Barbie dumped Ken for an Australian surfer named Blaine.

In 2006, Ken started wooing Barbie back. He received a fashion makeover by celebrity stylist Phillip Bloch, who has dressed Pierce Brosnan, Johnny Depp and Sean Combs. He also had minor work on his face. The new Ken had the couple “talking.”

Last year, Barbie and Ken appeared in Disney/Pixar’s “Toy Story 3: The Great Escape,” resulting in the “Toy Story 3: Barbie and Ken, Made for Each Other” doll gift set.

For Ken’s 50th birthday, Mattel has issued the Barbie and Ken Doll “She Said Yes!” gift set ($14.99). Both dolls are dressed in beachwear inspired by their original outfits. Visit mattelshop.com.

A flaxen-haired Barbie wears a black-and-white swimsuit reminiscent of her iconic zebra bathing suit from 1959. The suit has been updated with touches of trademark Barbie pink, including a pink bow at the neckline. Accessories include pink shades, pink beach shoes and gold hoop earrings.

Ken is dressed in red board shorts, and he sports a big lip-shaped “kiss” — in Barbie pink — on his cheek. Accessories include a yellow towel, black watch and black beach shoes.

Other 50th anniversary issues include the “Happy Birthday, Ken” Barbie doll ($44.95). Barbie is retro chic dressed in a strapless blue (Ken’s favorite color) gown with argyle-like plaid (a throwback to a popular style of sweater vest worn by Ken) bodice, white bow-tie waistband (another staple from Ken’s wardrobe), and a blue train with gold underlay and matching blue shoes. Accessories include elaborate faux gemstone dangling earrings. She carries a present with a hang tag that reads “Ken.”

“My Favorite Ken” ($39.95) is a reproduction of the original brown-haired, blue-eyed Ken (there was blond version, as well) sporting red trunks. Accessories include a yellow towel, a reproduction of the Victory Dance outfit (a fitted blue blazer with fraternity crest, white shirt, white slacks, red tie and black-and-white shoes), circa 1964, with Barbie and Ken fun-facts collectible cards and a vintage-style booklet.

New accessories featuring retro Barbie & Ken artwork include the “Future Mrs. Ken” T-shirt ($24), Ken in plaid T-shirt ($32) and pink “Genuine Barbie” and blue “Genuine Ken” doll tag key chains ($28 each).

For more information, visit barbiecollectibles.com.