The world's largest toymaker, Mattel Inc, celebrated the 50th birthday of Barbie's Ken ahead of the opening of the trendsetting Nuremberg Toy Fair.

Companies from round the globe were already busy unpacking novelties for the fair, the world's biggest toy expo, which was set to open its doors for a six-day run.

At a media preview, Mattel celebrated the 50th birthday of Ken, the male doll who angles for the affections of Barbie.

Half a dozen male models, kitted out in swimsuits and tuxedoes, posed for pictures.

Mattel, the world's top toymaker by revenue, introduced its Barbie doll in 1959. She marked her 50th birthday with similar celebrations at the fair two years ago.

The fair, which was to be inaugurated later Wednesday by Horst Seehofer, premier of Bavaria state, is showing thousands of doll designs, with 2,683 companies exhibiting products.

Organizers said about 1 million toys were available from the exhibiting companies, which hail from 63 nations.

About 70,000 products are estimated to be coming on sale for the first time this year. The event is only open to wholesale and retail purchasing executives and other trade visitors from round the world, not the general public.