Barbie’s partner Ken gets a body-positive makeover with a dad bod and receding hairline

Last week, Mattel won over the internet by announcing that it would be releasing a new range of ‘real’ Barbie dolls, featuring curvy, tall and petite shapes plus assorted skin tones, eye colours and textures.

The ‘Fashionista’ range of dolls was met with an outpouring of praise on Twitter, but many disappointed users demanded to know why Barbie’s hunky other half, Ken, had not also been included in the update.

In the absence of a response from the toy maker, one fashion company has taken upon itself to reimagine a new set of Kens for 2016, that not only reflect the modern man’s real appearance, but also their changing fashion tastes.

Eschewing his usual waxed six pack, blonde side swept crop and dazzling veneers, Ken 2.0 comes under a handful of body-positive new guises: including beach dad bod Ken and balding Ken. There are also black, Asian and petite Ken dolls in the line-up.

While there’s still a suited and booted Ken included, Barbie’s beau has updated his wardrobe to include current trends in menswear - there’s even a bearded hipster doll complete with tortoiseshell glasses and a checked flannel shirt.

Sadly the new Ken dolls, which were created by fashion shopping site Lyst, will not be available to purchase - but all the clothes worn by the figures are available to buy through its site.

Perhaps it’s time for Mattel to acknowledge that it’s not just Barbie who was designed with unattainable beauty ideals, but Ken too.

Let’s hope that jetskiing Ken lets his beer belly hang out with pride at some point in the near future.

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