Every Man's Dream -- A wall of perfectly parted hair style choices
There is a lot of talk today about men going under the knife to keep their youthful appearance. But Sunday night during the New York Fashion Week frazzle I headed to Christie's to celebrate the 50th birthday of Ken Carson who hasn't aged in decades. Yes, that Ken, as in Barbie's boyfriend (although sadly I read they broke up in 2004. Was someone doing the mush mush with Jem?).
Ken back in 1961
For Ken's big birthday, Mattel went all out to celebrate at the swanky auction house with live Ken model's wearing looks by the coolest menswear designers of the moment including Billy Reid, Michael Bastian, Nicholas K, Robert Geller, Simon Spurr and Yigal Azrouël. Christie's loaned highlights from their Post-War & Contemporary art sale as the perfect backdrops for each look.
Robert Geller's take on Ken's New Look
We found Billy Reid in the chaos of the crowd and asked him what he thought of dressing Ken. "It's quite an honor! I'm with a great group of folks," he told us. Did he have a history with Ken? "My sister had a Ken doll and I admit, I tortured him a bit. My G.I. Joe beat him up pretty good," Reid laughed. Obviously this was his repentance for all that cruelty to poor preppy Ken.
Billy Reid's Ken Concept
After inhaling three mini burgers, two mini grilled cheeses and the tiniest French fries ever made, I met SVP of Marketing for Mattel Stephanie Cota. She explained that not only was this a birthday for Ken but a 'take me back' plea to Barbie. "He is going all out hiring Paul Sevigny to DJ tonight, asking Magnolia bakery to make cupcakes in her honor and exhibiting priceless art to woo her back. Let's hope it works!" she told me. What a doll!
The Magnolia cupcakes Ken had made for Barbie
Before heading out we ran into the art duo Andrew Andrew. Are they a fan of Ken? They were quick to answer, "We love multiples of any man. It's just that simple. Clearly it's our thing!"
With menswear back in the fashion spotlight, it was great to see Ken looking au currant in the latest menswear trends and showing his cultured side at Christie's. Although we do miss Earring Magic Ken terribly...
News Alert: Today Ken asked Barbie to take him back and she said yes, on the Time Square JumboTron no less. Clearly they were 'made' for each other.