Gay ken necklace

Earring Magic Ken has been displayed at several museums as an example of both gay pride and brand failures, including the Missouri History Museum, [36] the National Museum of Play, [37] the Fleming Museum, [38] and the New York Historical Society. [39] Earring Magic Ken appeared — with a changed necklace — as a character in the film Barbie, played by Tom Stourton, alongside Sugar. Last month, after a week of bidding I acquired one Earring Magic Ken doll. I know what you might be thinking. Thomas you are an adult, why on earth are you buying a Ken doll?

The case of Earring Magic Ken shows how marketing and focus groups can inadvertently create a kitsch classic. Mattel found this out the hard way. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. We love every Ken in Greta Gerwig's newest blockbuster hit film Barbie , from Ryan Gosling to Out cover star Scott Evans , to Ncuti Gatwa and Simu Liu, to Kingsley Ben-Adir and John Cena. And we have a special love in our hearts for one particular Ken who made a surprise appearance in the movie: gay icon Earring Magic Ken!

The doll was called Earring Magic Ken, which is the absolute best name for an accidentally gay doll. And he is every ’90s queer stereotype in a chiseled hunk of plastic. Things you buy through our links may earn Vox Media a commission. Earring Magic Ken in particular has been the stuff of urban legend for decades, thanks to his totally-not-a-cock-ring necklace. Earring Magic Ken was, of course, created as an accessory to Earring Magic Barbie.

What Mattel failed to realise were the gender and sexual implications of this necklace. Little girls obviously lack the awareness and inherent bias of understanding what the circular necklace meant along with the queer-friendly fashion of Earring Magic Ken. However, the adults did and could not help but ridicule Mattel’s ill thought out design. Mattel has been manufacturing its Barbie dolls since Shortly thereafter, it began producing dolls of Barbie's boyfriend, Ken. Girls really liked Barbie, and the doll became a certifiable cultural force, but Ken dolls never sold as well.

Earring Magic Ken has been displayed at several museums as an example of both gay pride and brand failures, including the Missouri History Museum, [36] the National Museum of Play, [37] the Fleming Museum, [38] and the New York Historical Society. [39] Earring Magic Ken appeared — with a changed necklace — as a character in the film Barbie, played by Tom Stourton, alongside Sugar. Join Dazed Club on iOS and Android. Already, the image has inspired scores of memes based on the simple premise that Ken looks, well, kind of gay. This is nothing new.

The case of Earring Magic Ken shows how marketing and focus groups can inadvertently create a kitsch classic. Mattel found this out the hard way. .

The doll was called Earring Magic Ken, which is the absolute best name for an accidentally gay doll. And he is every ’90s queer stereotype in a chiseled hunk of plastic. .

What Mattel failed to realise were the gender and sexual implications of this necklace. Little girls obviously lack the awareness and inherent bias of understanding what the circular necklace meant along with the queer-friendly fashion of Earring Magic Ken. However, the adults did and could not help but ridicule Mattel’s ill thought out design. .