Ken, who was ditched by Barbie in February 2004, will get a more contemporary look. The doll's ''head-to-toe'' revamp will be introduced in the spring, Mattel Inc. spokeswoman Lauren Bruksch said today.

''It's the next episode in this Hollywood soap opera,'' Bruksch said in an interview. ''Everyone knew a makeover was inevitable when Barbie left him.''

Mattel, the world's largest toy maker, is consulting on Ken's changes with Hollywood stylists such as Phillip Bloch, whose celebrity clients have included Halle Berry, Nicole Kidman, Drew Barrymore and Faye Dunaway. The makeover follows eight straight quarters of declining sales of Barbie merchandise. Barbie accounts for as much as 30 percent of Mattel's sales, according to A.G. Edwards analyst Tim Conder.

An 18 percent drop in Barbie sales spurred Mattel's profit to fall 12 percent in the third quarter. Earnings for the first nine months of the year have plunged 52 percent. Mattel's annual sales are about $5.1 billion.

In a press release issued today, Mattel said Ken had been ''seen in Los Angeles talking to A-list celebrity stylists'' in an effort to win Barbie back and fashion his new look.

The Ken doll was introduced in 1961. He and Barbie were paired together in a television commercial to promote sales. Last year, Barbie, who debuted in 1959, broke up with Ken when Mattel introduced a new doll, called Blaine, in its Cali-Girl collection. Mattel engineered the split by issuing a news release saying ''the storybook romance'' had ended.

Mattel continued to sell the Ken doll after the addition of Blaine. Barbie and Ken have ''remained friends,'' said Bruksch.