Sunsational Malibu Ken

Name: Sunsational Malibu Ken (1st Black Ken)

Made by and When: Mattel, 1981

Material: Vinyl

Height: 12 inches

Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Black rooted Afro/brown painted eyes/closed mouth

Clothes/Accessories: Yellow swim trunks with orange trim, mirrored aviator sunglasses, and a beach towel

Other: Often referred to as “Afro Ken” because it is the first Black Ken with rooted hair, this is also the first Black male doll to be named Ken by Mattel. The Brad head sculpt was used for this doll. A headshot of Sunsational Malibu Ken is on the lower right corner of the front of the box. The doll is shown in a beach scene with Sunsational Malibu Christie on the back of the box.

Other: Style #3849, uses the Brad head sculpt. This doll is often referred to as Afro Ken because it is the first Black Ken with rooted hair. It is also the first Black doll named Ken by Mattel. A headshot of Sunsational Malibu Ken is illustrated on the lower front of the box. The doll is also illustrated on the back of the box with Sunsational Malibu Christie.

View the Slideshow below and see an additional picture here.

_________

Your comments are valued. Donations aid the initiative to preserve Black-doll history. 

If you subscribe to DeeBeeGee’s Virtual Black Doll Museum™ by email, be sure to click the post title in the email, which links to the website to view all text and associated media. Please “like” and share this installation with your social media doll contacts. To subscribe, add your email address to the subscribe or sign-up field in the footer or right sidebar.