On this day in 1961, the first Ken doll was sold in Wisconsin, USA, and a heartthrob was born. London designer Cassette Playa is celebrating 50 years of Barbie's boyfriend with the Cassette Playa x Ken collection, which will debut exclusively at colette. The line was featured in the finale of Cassette Playa's Autumn/Winter 11 show aduring London Fashion Week, where Carri Munden sent gold covered male models with slicked-up plastic hair down the runway wearing oversized 3D print silk t-shirts, shorts and trousers. Because Ken is the ultimate pin-up, his muscly gold torso is featured in the prints along with CGI rainbow roses and the Ken logo. 

Text message and BBM symbols are also used in the prints to make Ken the perfect boyfriend for a new generation. In addition to the T-shirts, there were Merino wool cricket jumpers, embroidered with roses, and a bay-boy stadium jacket with gold embroidery and a big purple K stitched in. Alongside debuting the collection, colette will sell an exclusive limited edition T-shirt and the Paris shop is also creating a window exhibition, displaying the best of Ken from the last 50 years; from Superstar Ken in the 70s, who wears an electric blue boiler suit, to Dream Date Ken from the 80s who, of course, wears a tux with a rose in the lapel.

Photography Daniel Sannwald for Ken® 50th anniversary
Styling Matthew Josephs
Make Up/Grooming Isamaya Ffrench using Illamasqua
Clothing Cassette Playa x Ken®, Hat and Pearl studded bubble Made by stylist, Chain stylists own
Styling Assistance Gary Armstrong / O Thongthai
Footwear Dr Martens
Models Jack Manhood at FM and Jayd