Not currently on display at the V&A

ULTRA HAIR KEN

Ken Doll
1991-1992 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

1. doll; description on following page
2. shirt; open necked with collar and long sleeves fastening at front with plastic press studs; cotton printed in psychedelic colours of pinks, greens and purple.
3. trousers; leisure pants; mauve nylon material similar to that used for shell suits; fastening at waist front with velcro; with label KEN at centre front
4,5. shoes; slip-on type; white plastic
6. comb; with star and ray design; mid purple plastic
7. BARBIE GEL; for styling hair; white tube printed in pink and blue with
Barbie logo
8. original packaging - window box of card printed in pinks to show a daisy design; overprinted in other colours to show titling; written details
and photographs of the dolls with various hairstyles.
9. box lining; green card shaped and cut to hold the doll and the accessories in place. The doll is held by wire tags around the feet and at each arm; around the waist is a clear plastic strip; cellotaped at the back. 10. box lining panel; on left side; green and yellow daisy design with details about the styling gel.
11. leaflet - SUPER STYLING TIPS; 1112-0720; ©1991 MATTEL INC; Printed in Malaysia. Printed in colour and in 6 languages. 5in x 3½in (12.7x8.8cm)
12. leaflet - BARBIE FAN CLUB; 0007-1112; © 1992 Mattel Inc; Printed in Hong Kong. Printed in colours and in 6 languages. 5in x 3½in (12.7x8.8cm)
13. information sheet; printed in 6 languages; 0007-1028. 5½in x 4¼in (14cm x10.8cm)


Object details

Object type
Parts
This object consists of 13 parts.

  • Doll
  • Doll
  • Doll
  • Doll
  • Doll
  • Doll
  • Doll
  • Doll
  • Doll
  • Doll
  • Doll
  • Doll
  • Doll
TitleULTRA HAIR KEN (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Soft and hard vinyl; jointed with interior knee joints
Brief description
Ultra Hair Ken; China; 1991-92
Physical description
1. doll; description on following page
2. shirt; open necked with collar and long sleeves fastening at front with plastic press studs; cotton printed in psychedelic colours of pinks, greens and purple.
3. trousers; leisure pants; mauve nylon material similar to that used for shell suits; fastening at waist front with velcro; with label KEN at centre front
4,5. shoes; slip-on type; white plastic
6. comb; with star and ray design; mid purple plastic
7. BARBIE GEL; for styling hair; white tube printed in pink and blue with
Barbie logo
8. original packaging - window box of card printed in pinks to show a daisy design; overprinted in other colours to show titling; written details
and photographs of the dolls with various hairstyles.
9. box lining; green card shaped and cut to hold the doll and the accessories in place. The doll is held by wire tags around the feet and at each arm; around the waist is a clear plastic strip; cellotaped at the back. 10. box lining panel; on left side; green and yellow daisy design with details about the styling gel.
11. leaflet - SUPER STYLING TIPS; 1112-0720; ©1991 MATTEL INC; Printed in Malaysia. Printed in colour and in 6 languages. 5in x 3½in (12.7x8.8cm)
12. leaflet - BARBIE FAN CLUB; 0007-1112; © 1992 Mattel Inc; Printed in Hong Kong. Printed in colours and in 6 languages. 5in x 3½in (12.7x8.8cm)
13. information sheet; printed in 6 languages; 0007-1028. 5½in x 4¼in (14cm x10.8cm)
Dimensions
  • Height: 32.5cm
  • Width: 15.3cm
  • Depth: 6.3cm
Marks and inscriptions
bar code on packaging - 0 7429901115
Object history
Bought January 1993 from Woolworth PLC; price £10.43. There had been a major court case between Mattel Inc and the makers of the Sindy Doll, Hasbro, which resulted in the proposed remodelling of the latter's doll. A group was purchased at this time to show the differences and similarities between the teenage dolls of the period.

Price: £10.43
Collection
Accession number
B.2:1 to 13-1993

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Record createdApril 17, 2000
Record URL
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