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What Is Labubu? The Luxury ‘Kawaii’ Bag Accessory Has Fashion World Hooked
In the peculiar intersection where high fashion meets collectible toys, a new star has emerged.
With their mischievous grins and distinctive pointy teeth, Labubu dolls are now dangling from luxury handbags worth thousands of pounds, creating an unlikely fashion sensation that’s captured the imagination of style enthusiasts worldwide.
The Origins of Labubu: From Illustration to Global Phenomenon
Labubu is the star character from “The Monsters” universe, created by Hong Kong-based artist Kasing Lung in 2015.
These spiky-toothed creatures with wide eyes weren’t born alone—they’re part of a broader fantasy lineup featuring characters like Zimomo, Spooky, Tycoco, and Pato.
Drawing inspiration from European folklore and fairy tales, Lung reimagined ancient elf-like beings as contemporary collectables with distinctive personalities.
Both the Labubu doll and its companions in The Monsters collection quickly found a devoted following.
The turning point came in 2019 when Lung partnered with Chinese toy giant Pop Mart.
This collaboration catapulted Labubu from niche art toy to mainstream sensation through a clever marketing strategy: the PopMart blind box.
Why Is Labubu So Famous? The Blind Box Strategy
The PopMart blind box approach (where buyers don’t know which character they’ll receive until they open their purchase) has proven irresistible to collectors.
Many fans eagerly seek the real Labubu among various designs. At around £25 per box, they’re relatively accessible compared to most luxury items, yet the thrill of possibly unwrapping a rare design has turned casual shoppers into dedicated collectors.
This format taps into the same psychology that made Pokemon cards a global phenomenon.
The excitement of the unknown, the joy of discovery, and the satisfaction of finding rare Labubus create a powerful dopamine hit that keeps customers returning for more.
Social media has amplified this effect, with TikTok and Instagram flooded with “unboxing” videos showing collectors’ excitement when they find particularly coveted versions like the One Piece Labubu collaboration.
It’s not unusual to see collectors with dozens of Labubus displayed proudly in their homes.
The Princess Effect: How Royalty Boosted Labubu’s Status
Nothing cements a trend like royal endorsement. Fashion-forward Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana of Thailand was spotted at the Hermès Fall 2024 show in Paris with not one but two dolls, including a Labubu keychain, adorning her crocodile Birkin bag. This single moment ignited tremendous demand across Southeast Asia.
Following this high-profile appearance, Pop Mart stores in Thailand reportedly saw queues stretching out the door, while Daigou resellers (personal shoppers who purchase goods overseas to sell in China) began sweeping up stock from surrounding countries like Singapore to meet skyrocketing demand for the PopMart Labubu in mainland China.
The Monsters Labubu collection has since become Pop Mart’s second most popular proprietary line and its fastest-growing franchise.
Why Are Labubus So Expensive? The Resale Market Explosion
While the standard PopMart blind box Labubus retail for about £25, the secondary market tells a different story.
Currently sold out on Pop Mart Labubu official channels, these toys fetch startling prices on resale platforms.
On eBay, most Labubu dolls start around £100, with rare editions commanding much more.
The most coveted versions of the monster doll, like the “Labubu Best of Luck Vinyl Plush Doll,” are selling for upwards of £1,000 on platforms like StockX.
This price inflation mirrors what happened with limited-edition sneakers and other collectibles that blend art, fashion, and exclusivity.
Collectors are advised to resist the urge to open their boxes if investment is the goal.
Like rare trading cards kept in pristine condition, unopened Labubus are likely to continue appreciating in value as new collectors enter the market and older editions become increasingly scarce.
Where to Buy Labubu: Finding Your First Monster
For those looking to start their collection in 2025, options include:
- PopMart blind box – When in stock, this is the most affordable source, with blind boxes priced around £25. The next “The Monsters” collection is scheduled for release soon.
- Harrods and other luxury retailers – Several high-end department stores now stock Labubu keychains due to their popularity as luxury bag accessories.
- Resale platforms – eBay, StockX, and dedicated toy collector forums are current marketplaces for those willing to pay premium prices for specific designs.
- Pop Mart official stores and website – The direct source for new releases, though popular items sell out quickly.
The Fashion Connection: Why Luxury Brands Embraced Labubu
The trend of bag charms isn’t new—luxury houses like Fendi and Louis Vuitton have offered expensive fur and leather charms for years. And don’t forget the Jellycat craze also.
What makes the real Labubu different is how it democratises accessorising expensive bags while adding a playful, collector’s element that resonates with both fashion enthusiasts and toy collectors.
Fashion insiders have noted how these mischievous creatures offer a way to personalise otherwise identical luxury handbags.
The juxtaposition of a playful, somewhat creepy toy against the serious luxury of a designer bag creates a visual tension that fashion photographers and influencers find irresistible.
Celebrities including Dua Lipa, and Rihanna have been spotted with Labubus dangling from their designer bags, further cementing the trend’s place in fashion culture.
What Is Labubu’s Appeal? The Psychology Behind the Obsession
The appeal of these wide-eyed monsters goes beyond mere trend-following.
Their slightly unsettling appearance—cute but with razor-sharp teeth—creates what psychologists call “cute aggression,” the same phenomenon that makes people want to squeeze particularly adorable things.
Each Labubu keychain also comes with a backstory, making them miniature works of art with personalities.
One might wear corduroy overalls with rainbow pins, while another sports a strawberry beanie or is dressed in a duck costume.
This variation and character development add depth that most fashion accessories lack.
Moreover, the ’90s nostalgia wave has reignited interest in childhood toys across fashion, from runway collections featuring teddy bear prints to luxury slippers inspired by plushies.
The Monsters Labubu perfectly captures this blending of childlike whimsy with adult purchasing power.
For fashion enthusiasts seeking something distinctive to express their individuality in an increasingly homogenised luxury landscape, these quirky monster dolls from PopMart offer the perfect combination of exclusivity, playfulness, and visual impact.
Whether you find them adorably unsettling or just plain weird, Labubus and their monster friends have successfully bridged the gap between toy collecting and high fashion, creating a cultural phenomenon that shows no signs of slowing down.
