✨ Barbie & Ken Star Trek Gift Set ✨

This set was released in 1996 to coincide with the 30th Anniversary of the original Star Trek T.V Series and is a Gold Label Edition which means each set is numbered and limited to 10,000 or less having been sold Worldwide.

I guess there's really only two types of people that this Barbie and Ken collector set would appeal to; either the kind of Barbie Collector who loves anything Barbie or a serious Star Trek fan, I'm the type of collector that has very eclectic tastes I also have always loved the original Star Trek T.V Series - it's one of those shows that has been deeply ingrained in my psyche since early childhood.
So of course this set really appealed to me and my sense of kitsch the doll collector and overgrown child in me loved the mini "Crew Members" in their authentic outfits and accessories.

While the Trekkie and the Artist in me loved the design of the box, colour choice, the image of the S.S Enterprise, the images from the cockpit and of course the cardboard cut-outs of Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock and the fact that they have used the writing from the title screen from the original series at the bottom of the box.

Both Barbie and Ken have been produced from their Super Star moulds used and sold in the 1990's,
( The Super Star mould was first produced in the 1970's and continued to be produced up until the mid to late 1990's).

Barbie's uniform is modelled on Lt. Uhura's Operations Officer's uniform complete with an Assignment patch with symbol showing her position inside it. She also has the Rank Insignia of her position as Lieutenant around the cuffs of her sleeves.

She has her Federation Star Fleet Tricorder which she keeps hung over her shoulder when not in use and can be opened and closed, she also has a Communicator which she holds in her right hand.

Ken's uniform consists of a gold tunic and black trousers which was modeled on the uniform of a Starfleet Command Officer. He also has his Assignment patch on his chest with the symbol illustrating his position as Command Officer inside it.
The cuffs of Ken's sleeves also denote his rank as Commander. He is holding his Phaser in his right hand and his Communicator in his left, when not in use he can place his Phaser in a fabric loop on the side of his shirt which acts as a holster.

This is displayed inside the box as being open and ready for use but I have read Amazon Reviews which state that the Communicators can also be closed, the same review also stated that the dolls both have holes in their hands with which to hold them.

My dolls have not been removed from their box and will not be either as I love the way it displays with the Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock on The Starship Enterprise along with Barbie and Ken that I cannot bring myself to remove them from it.
Their clothes, made of a fabric that looks like felt, but is more than likely to be Xenylon - an algae based fabric, used for Federation Starfleet uniforms until 2268.

In keeping with Starfleet dress codes being female Barbie would have had a choice of either a tunic and trouser suit or a dress like outfit with regulation black tights and calf length boots. 

Being Barbie, she chose the latter! 

The back of the box shows Barbie and Ken's regulation accessories and has information on each:

Tricorder:

"Specialized state-of-the-art sensing technology available for scientific engineering, scientific and medical applications."

Communicator:

"A personal communications device providing voice transmission from a planetary surface to an orbiting spacecraft and between members of a landing party."

Phaser:

"Handheld weapon used by Starfleet personnel that can be adjusted to a variety of settings including stun, heat and disruption."

Below the photograph is written:

"Join Barbie and Ken as they beam aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the classic Star Trek Series! 

Ready for any mission, Barbie is outfitted with an authentic Star Trek uniform. Her badge and red uniform denote her status as a member of the ship's engineering section. She carries a replica of a tricorder, the multipurpose scientific and technical instrument that incorporates computers, sensors and records in a convenient handheld device. She also carries a replica of a communicator allowing he to contact other Starfleet personnel. Ken wears a gold jersey and badge indicating his position in the Command division. He carries a replica of a phaser - an acronym for PHASed Energy Rectification - which is a directed energy weapon used by Starfleet personnel. 

Lieutenant Barbie and Commander ken join the internationally renowned original crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise: Captain James T. Kirk, First Officer Spock, Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy, Chief Engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott, Helmsman Hikaru Sulu, Communications Officer Uhura and Navigator Pavel Chekov on a special voyage. In the 30 years since it first aired, Star Trek has inspired generations of fans with Gene Roddenberry's belief that people of various races, genders and planetary origins can work together to build a constructive future for all mankind."

The box also contains a black plastic stand for each doll with name tag, and Gold Label Certificate of Authenticity.