Ken's back--with a makeover.

Now, after a heart-wrenching, two-year separation, Barbie and Ken are back together. Perhaps it's because of Ken's new took: Gone are his outdated swimming trunks and dull T-shirts. Ken now sports a motorcycle jacket and cargo pants, and his face has been resculpted to give it a more rugged jaw line. Ken's makeover and his reunion with Barbie are all part of an effort by Mattel, the dolls' manufacturer, to revive a sagging brand. For nearly 50 years, Barbie has been at the heart of Mattel's success. But now the qualities that drew girts to Barbie--a wholesome image and virtually no electronic bells and whistles--are turning them off. Girls are becoming more interested in MP3 players and other electronics designed for children. Barbie sales have plunged, retailers are cutting back on shelf space for the doll, and for the first time, a competitor has edged her out as the No. 1 fashion doll. Bratz, a line of dolls with pouty lips and big heads manufactured by MGA Entertainment in Van Nuys, Calif., overtook Barbie in sales during the 2005 holiday season. Mattel hopes the Ken-and-Barbie drama will help reignite sales. The company enlisted Phillip Bloch--who has dressed stars like Johnny Depp and Sean Combs--to help with Ken's makeover. Bloch describes the doll's new took as "Matthew McConaughey meets Ortando Broom."