Most territories are still under strict travel restrictions, but they don’t apply to Ken. That would be Ken, Barbie’s decades-long plastic partner and the second-most famous doll ever from Mattel. Ken is about to embark on the journey of a lifetime.
The ever-changing but always very popular male doll is turning 60 years old this year. Much like with Barbie, you can’t tell that he’s near retirement age. If anything, Ken is looking better and fancier than ever—now, even more so thanks to a special anniversary edition by Berluti.
In collaboration with the luxury menswear brand, Mattel has created three very special Kens. They wear custom outfits by Berluti creative director Kris Van Assche and get their very own car: a Berluti dune buggy. Berluti introduced a custom real-life beach buggy last year, based on the 1964 Meyers Manx Buggy. This is a one-off scale model of it, courtesy of Mattel’s other incredibly successful company Hot Wheels.
Basically, for this very special Ken anniversary, three very important players have come together to create a one-of-a-kind event. All three Kens in their one-off buggy will be heading out for a trip from Paris, France, to Los Angeles, U.S., and it will be documented on social media. “During such a restrictive time, it felt joyful and liberating going into fantasy mode to create all these products and this storytelling,” Van Assche tells GQ. “Ultimately, it all goes back to the idea of dreaming.”
Once the three dolls reach their destination, they and their buggy will be auctioned off online, with all the proceeds going to charity. The beneficiary is Make-A-Wish, the charity that grants wishes to children with terminal illnesses. In other words, Ken’s latest PR stunt is all for a good cause.
If you can’t afford to bid for the three Kens and their Hot Wheels ride, you can still get some related merchandise, though not associated with the charitable cause. As part of the same partnering deal, Berluti offers a Ken t-shirt and the Nino Large Canvas and Leather Clutch, which retail for $380 and $1,030, respectively. You’re paying for Ken’s birthday party.
In collaboration with the luxury menswear brand, Mattel has created three very special Kens. They wear custom outfits by Berluti creative director Kris Van Assche and get their very own car: a Berluti dune buggy. Berluti introduced a custom real-life beach buggy last year, based on the 1964 Meyers Manx Buggy. This is a one-off scale model of it, courtesy of Mattel’s other incredibly successful company Hot Wheels.
Basically, for this very special Ken anniversary, three very important players have come together to create a one-of-a-kind event. All three Kens in their one-off buggy will be heading out for a trip from Paris, France, to Los Angeles, U.S., and it will be documented on social media. “During such a restrictive time, it felt joyful and liberating going into fantasy mode to create all these products and this storytelling,” Van Assche tells GQ. “Ultimately, it all goes back to the idea of dreaming.”
Once the three dolls reach their destination, they and their buggy will be auctioned off online, with all the proceeds going to charity. The beneficiary is Make-A-Wish, the charity that grants wishes to children with terminal illnesses. In other words, Ken’s latest PR stunt is all for a good cause.
If you can’t afford to bid for the three Kens and their Hot Wheels ride, you can still get some related merchandise, though not associated with the charitable cause. As part of the same partnering deal, Berluti offers a Ken t-shirt and the Nino Large Canvas and Leather Clutch, which retail for $380 and $1,030, respectively. You’re paying for Ken’s birthday party.