Written by Emma McCarthy
Barbie? Okay. Bratz Doll? For sure. Monster High? Iconic. Labubu?
Is this creepy smiled sock puppet this generation’s new play toy or just another seasonal high fashion hit?
The fluffy bundle of horror, with its toothy grin and mischievous wide eyes, haven’t just stolen the hearts of the public, but it’s taken the high fashion world by storm.
This doll can hook onto the belt loop of your baggy jeans—like a carabiner or keychain—or tie to a Birkin bag like a silk scarf. In other words, this bunny-in-a-onesie is more than just an accessory. This doll is a statement of exclusivity: a trend-savvy emblem of contemporary luxury.
Celebrities are obsessed with the Labubu, with BLACKPINK and White Lotus star Lisa credited with its boost in popularity since its launch in 2019 when she was photographed accessorizing with a Labubu in 2024, according to MSN. Rihanna, Dua Lipa and Kim Kardashian have been spotted strutting with Labubu’s — so where exactly did they come from and why are they so popular?
THE ARTIST & ORIGIN OF LABUBU
Hong Kong-born artist and illustrator Kasing Lung created the character Labubu in 2015 as part of his children’s picture book trilogy The Monsters. Having moved to the Netherlands with his family at a young age, Lung’s inspiration drew upon Nordic elves, forest sprites, and mythical beings from the bedtime tales he heard as a child.
The playful Labubu first appears in Lung’s The Story of Puca, embodying a curious childlike wonder. The legend alludes to these ancient creatures having wandered the forests for centuries, possibly even predating the Jurassic era.
This year marks the 10-year anniversary of Lung’s Labubu — a small, mischievous creature said to bring both luck and mischief, who is “kind-hearted and always wants to help, but often accidentally achieves the opposite,” according to the Pop Mart website.
After Lung struck a licensing deal with Pop Mart in 2019, Pop Mart sales doubled, with shares soaring up 13.2% by May. As a result of our furry friend’s frenzy, Pop Mart chairman Wang Ning’s net worth is estimated at $17.26 billion, according to Forbes Real Time Billionaires List. Labubu has certainly lived up to her reputation — bringing luck to this partnership as well as mischief among crazed collectors.
LABUBU MAKES LA~MONEY
Pop Mart transformed Lung’s fairytale freaks into collectable characters that have fans sprinting to get their hands on the rarest of Labubus, available for purchase on Pop Mart, online marketplaces, and even at auctions.
A life-sized Labubu — mint green and 131 cm tall — was auctioned off for an outrageous $150,000 in the world’s first “Labubu Original Collectible Art Auction” hosted by Yongle International Auction in Beijing China, along with other pieces sold between $25,000 – $140,000 (h/t timesnownews.com).
The allure of Labubus is clear — with dolls running out of stock in seconds as soon as new limited editions are released. The nail-biting excitement in unraveling the mystery behind a Labubu blind box is just one of the product techniques to sway consumers, as well as its frequent collaborations with celebrities — such as the LaRuRu doll in homage to drag queen legend RuPaul. Though much of the cutesy monster’s charm is credited to its unique look and business model, it’s really the social media marketing of Labubus that spread its influence like wildfire.
SOCIAL MEDIA & POP CULTURE
TikTokers and influencers showcase their love for Labubus in product reviews, comedy skits, mock-meldowns, fashion styling, and even rap songs — Lizzo’s “YITTY ON YO TITTIES“ freestyle line “How you talkin’ shit ’bout me? Can’t even outdress my Labubu.” PLUTO’s hit WHIM WHAMMIE has gone viral on TikTok, with users using the clip to flaunt their Labubus. The “Truth Hurts” musician debuted her new album MY FACE HURTS FROM SMILING June 27th where a hot pink Labubu dancer stole the show, as seen in this TikTok.
The latest obsession Labubu has evolved into accessorizing the accessory in dripped-out designer as some people (with the funds a college student like this author does not have) even dress their dolls in miniature Prada and Gucci clothes.
The surge of Labubu content coursing through everyone’s FYP has sparked the age-old discourse over art and consumerism. Social media algorithms thrive on consistent waves of trends to keep viewers engaged with their platform, and in the same way the digital world depends on us, we depend on it. In parallel, people want Labubus because they are popular, and Labubus are popular because people want them. Simple.
While most feedback around Labubus is overwhelmingly positive, critics who dismiss these grinning gremlins and urge fashionistas to ditch trend-chasing ironically end up feeding the frenzy — only further proving Labubu’s signature blend of luck and mischief at work.
Whether they’re dangling from designer bags, starring in viral TikToks, fetching five figures at auction, or a feature on a fan-favorite freestyle rap, Labubu is far more than a passing trend.
