Remembering Ozzy Osbourne: Archival photos of the heavy metal legend
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Washington Post
37 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Ozzy Osbourne was the kindest celebrity I ever met
Andrew Vontz is the founder of One Real Voice, a podcast coaching and strategy company. He hosts the 'Choose the Hard Way' podcast and writes the Substack of the same name. I wore a shimmering, faux snakeskin, mid-calf-length, silver-and-black cape to the Ozzy Osbourne interview I did for Mean, a style and culture magazine in Los Angeles. It was 2005, 'The Osbournes' was the most popular show on MTV, and Ozzy was about to release a retrospective box set (of compact discs). After a childhood spent listening to Black Sabbath and teen years spent playing Sabbath-inspired hardcore in a high school band, I figured wearing the cape was only appropriate.
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Mick Jagger And Keith Richards Get Rolling Stones Action Figures
Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards 8-inch action figures and ... More accessories. The Rolling Stones' frontmen Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are about to become collectible 8-inch-tall action figures. Jagger and Richards, of course, are the iconic singer and guitarist of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group, which formed in 1962 along with Brian Jones, Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman. Today's lineup consists of Jagger, Richards and Ronnie Wood. The Rolling Stones, of course, have recorded several of classic rock tunes, including 'Jumpin' Jack Flash,' 'You Can't Always Get What You Want,' 'Honky Tonk Woman,' '19th Nervous Breakdown,' 'Sympathy for the Devil' and 'Start Me Up,' as well as the ballads 'Ruby Tuesday' and 'As Tears Go By.' Collectibles and action figure maker NECA announced Thursday that the company is producing 8-inch-tall retro-style clothed action figures of Jagger and Richards as they appeared in 1975. Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards 8-inch action figures and ... More accessories. What Do The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger And Keith Richards Figures Consist Of? According to NECA, the Mick Jagger Rolling Stones action figure includes interchangeable hands and faceplates that can be swapped out, a microphone and a mic stand, as well as an action figure-sized Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers album with a sleeve. The Keith Richards Rolling Stones Action Figure comes with interchangeable faceplates, Richards' Fender guitar and an action figure-sized Rolling Stones Let It Bleed album with a sleeve. Both Rolling Stones action figures will retail for $37.99 and are available directly through NECA and online retailers. The Jagger and Richards figures will be released sometime in the fourth quarter of 2025, NECA noted. NECA previously produced a 7-inch action figure of Richards as Captain Edward Teague — the father of Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp)— who appeared in 2007's Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End and 2011's Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. The Rolling Stones figures are the latest in a long line of musician action figures produced by NECA. Previously, the company produced two 8-inch retro action figure sets of Elton John, along with a grand piano, as well as Willie Nelson, guitarist Angus Young of AC/DC and AC/DC's late lead singer, Bon Scott. In addition, the company in 2024 released a 7-inch scale action figure of Jon Bon Jovi from the Slippery When Wet album era.
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Why The Labubu Craze Became A Nostalgic Social Currency
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 12: Close-up detail view of seven Labubu monsters / charms / dolls / plus from ... More "Big Into Energy" collection : Loyalty, Happiness, Luck, Hope, Serenity, Love an Secret, during a street style fashion photo session, on June 12, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by) The distinctive grin of Labubu, a small, elf-eared creature with serrated teeth, has become widespread across social media feeds, celebrity red carpets, and fashion shows worldwide. What began as a collectible toy from Hong Kong-based Pop Mart has evolved into something far more complex: a cultural phenomenon that generated $423 million in revenue for the company in 2024 alone, transforming a playful figurine into a coveted symbol of exclusivity and insider knowledge. People wait in line to visit the new Pop Mart store selling Labubu toys at a shopping mall in Berlin ... More on July 25, 2025. Labubu is a brand of collectible designer plush toy monster elves created by Hong Kong-Dutch designer Kasing Lung and marketed by and sold exclusively at China-based retailer Pop Mart. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP) (Photo by TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty Images) This isn't just another toy craze. The Labubu mania reveals something deeper about consumer psychology, nostalgia, and how objects become vessels for social status in the digital age. Through three distinct lenses—as a nostalgic product, a form of social currency, and a fleeting fashion statement—the Labubu phenomenon offers insights into modern consumer behavior and the mechanics of viral culture. The Power of Labubu's Nostalgic Design At the heart of Labubu's appeal lies a sophisticated understanding of nostalgia and emotional resonance. Created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung in 2016, the character draws from Nordic folklore and European fairy tales, creating what author and fashion historian Robert Ossant describes as a 'fascinating combination of cute and ugly that taps into the 90s and Y2K aesthetic of Furbies, Garbage Pail kids, Troll dolls and cartoons like Rugrats and Ren & Stimpy.' Lung, born in 1972, spent part of his childhood in the Netherlands, and his design philosophy blends childhood memories with universal mythological elements. The result is a character that feels simultaneously new and ancient or something that resonates across cultural boundaries while tapping into collective childhood memories. "The large eyes and tiny nose resemble childlike characteristics, upping the cute factor and appealing to the anime and manga trends we're seeing in the current zeitgeist," explains Nina Vargas, a global beauty strategist, in her analysis of the toy's psychological appeal. These 'anthropomorphic qualities' don't just make the character endearing, but they create an emotional bridge that allows consumers to project feelings and memories onto the object. The timing of Labubu's global breakthrough in 2024-2025 wasn't accidental. After nearly a decade of relative obscurity, the character found its moment during a period when consumers were particularly receptive to nostalgic comfort items. In fact, if you scroll TikTok, you will see millions of videos of consumers listening to 90s music, revisiting fashion trends from that decade, or rewatching their childhood favorite movies and TV shows. The Labubu's ability to evoke childhood security while remaining contemporary enough for adult fashion sensibilities created the perfect storm for viral adoption. Labubu Is An Exclusive Social Currency Perhaps no aspect of the Labubu phenomenon is more revealing than its transformation into a form of social currency or an investment piece. The collectible toy market has long understood the power of scarcity, from Pokémon cards, Barbies and Beanie Babies, but Labubu has elevated this concept to new heights through strategic use of "blind box" purchasing and limited releases. "The Labubus became a social currency because to have a rare Labubu communicates an insider knowledge of trends and value. It began as 'if you know you know' (IYKYK) style statement and a widely understood, talisman of taste," Ossant explains. CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 17: Zufi Alexander wears an all Miu Miu look made of butter yellow long summer ... More dress and straw Miu Miu bag with attached Labubu bag charms during day five of the 78th Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2025 in Cannes, France. (Photo by) The economics are straightforward yet powerful: initial drops are priced modestly (around $30), but artificial scarcity quickly drives secondary market prices to multiples of their original value. This creates multiple tiers of social signaling. Owning any Labubu demonstrates cultural awareness, but owning a rare variant or paying premium resale prices communicates having insider knowledge, and frankly, the financial means. The unboxing ritual central to Labubu culture amplifies this social currency effect. "The unboxing and reveal of which character emerges from the packaging intrigues the viewers, making them eager to seek their own unwrapping experience in the hopes of having their own (hopefully rare) character," Vargas notes. Social media feeds filled with unboxing videos create a feedback loop of desire and FOMO (fear of missing out) that drives continued purchasing. Retail strategist Jeanel Alvarado, Founder & CEO at RETAILBOSS, identifies a crucial parallel: "Many collectors of Labubu for instance turned out to be luxury buyers. Affluent shoppers who typically seek out rare watches, handbags and limited edition pieces." This crossover reveals how Labubu functions as what Alvarado calls "recession-core": a lower-cost luxury that satisfies the same psychological needs as expensive handbags or watches during times of economic uncertainty. How Labubu Transcends Style And Fashion While Labubus have become ubiquitous fashion accessories, dangling from designer bags and celebrity outfits, their role transcends traditional fashion logic. Rather than following seasonal trends or aesthetic movements, it is a commentary on consumption, and generational divides. PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 08: A guest wears a burgundy bordeaux woven Bottega Veneta Andiamo leather ... More bag, light blue Labubu bag charm, cream Labubu bag charm, outside Elie Saab, during the Paris Fashion week Women's Fall/Winter 2025-2026 on March 8, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by) "Labubus represents more of a social statement than a fashion statement," states Anna Pompilio, Strategy Director at Marks. "It shows not only that you're tapped into the micro-culture of the moment, but that you either have the A) time to spend on Pop Mart hunting down your own Labubu or B) the money to spend on a resold one.' The fashion industry has taken notice. Luxury brands like Burberry and Celine have responded with their own character-based accessories, signaling recognition of the trend's commercial potential. However, this mainstream adoption may paradoxically signal the beginning of the end for Labubu's cultural cache. Ossant sees the trend as serving "as a critique of fashion's most ridiculous extremes, influencer culture and the relentless churn of trends, but also a commentary on different generations." According to him, it's become a tool for millennials to mock Gen Z's seemingly mindless consumerism, while Gen Z uses it to highlight just how much millennials are missing the irony. SHANGHAI, CHINA - JUNE 09: Labubu figures and dolls are seen on display at a Pop Mart store on June ... More 9, 2025 in Shanghai, China. From Southeast Asia and Europe to the United States and the Middle East, Labubu - the beloved character from Chinese toy company Pop Mart - is taking the world by storm. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images) As with most viral phenomena, Labubu's future remains uncertain. The very mechanisms that drove its success such as social media amplification, artificial scarcity, and FOMO-driven purchasing are notoriously fickle and feed into overconsumption. Many, like Ossant, argue that Labubus are an entry level luxury where the value is tied up in rarity and exclusivity rather than actual cost. "Customers are fatigued with fast-fashion, and collector items and limited edition items have continued to catch waves with limited drops," Alvarado adds. Yet she also acknowledges the fundamental tension: once a trend reaches mainstream saturation, its value as social currency diminishes. Whether Labubu endures or fades, its impact on understanding consumer behavior, social media marketing, and the psychology of collectibility will likely persist. As Alvarado succinctly summarizes: "It shows the value is in the eyes of the beholder, for those who understand the collector and resale market potential for limited items it's a lucrative play, in addition to the clout they can get online. For others it's just an 'ugly toy.'" A man walks with two Labubu plush toys of Pop Mart hanging from his backpack straps along a ... More pedestrian street on The Bund in Shanghai on July 4, 2025. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images)
