Decoding Labubu: The Plush Toy Tapping into Nostalgia & Taking Over Fashion
'It's like a little doll bringing my inner child out,' agrees Dubai-based stylist of 15 years, Chloe Louise, who creates customised jewellery and bag charms, often from thrifted children's toys. 'Its playful, yet slightly mischievous vibe reminds me not to take things too seriously,' comments Vogue contributor Ty Gaskins.
Photo: Saira Noorani
'They're unapologetic about how they look and how they make you feel,' shares Saira Noorani, who has affixed a white Labubu to her red Hermès Kelly bag. Noorani works part-time as a live selling host at Luxury Promise – a pre-loved marketplace with a dedicated hub in Japan.
'Back in Dubai and London, we couldn't keep them on the shelves. Truly – gone in a day,' she continues. 'There are three left in the Dubai office, if you're feeling lucky.'
If Labubu can liven up accessories from the greatest names in luxury, it can win over even the most hesitant among us. Take the sartorial leap – the affection you develop for this little Kawaii critter might just surprise you.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Vogue Arabia
a day ago
- Vogue Arabia
The New Poetic Vanguard: 6 Arab Female Poets You Need to Know Now
Poetry has long been intertwined with Arabic culture, as both its heart and voice. The power lies in its versatility, a language of both fire and hope. Today, a new generation of Arab poets – spanning continents, languages, and media – is redefining how cultural inheritance is understood and expressed in the 21st century. These six remarkable poets are reshaping the modern Arab poetic landscape through experimental forms and emotionally resonant explorations of selfhood, memory, and reimagination: Maryam Imogen Ghouth Photo: Maryam Imogen Ghouth Maryam is a Saudi-British literary artist based in Dubai whose work is known for its deep sense of quiet and reflection. She explores themes of identity and belonging through a philosophical and existential lens, drawing inspiration from thinkers like Otto Rank, Carl Jung, Ernest Becker, and Iain McGilchrist. Her poetry often looks at the push and pull between individuality and connection, separation and unity. Her chapbook, I Ask My Being: Reflective Poems on Staying True , is a thoughtful collection of 15 poems. Maryam's poetry films have been shown at international festivals, with her latest, Not Alone, earning over 15 awards. Her spoken-word pieces have featured in award-winning short films, and her poems appear in several international literary journals. Lebanese poet Zeina Beck writes with a raw intimacy that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. In her third collection, O , she weaves English and Arabic to explore motherhood, exile, and the emotional weight of memory. Her poems are anchored in Beirut, where the scent of her late uncle's flower shop lingers as vividly as the moment she took him to his grave. Beck doesn't flinch from pain; instead, she leans into it, unafraid to voice the tension between holding on and letting go. O becomes a tender act of remembering and reclaiming. This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from. Afra Atiq This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from. Afra Atiq has been a powerful and resonant voice in the UAE's literary scene since she began performing publicly in 2015. A spoken word poet known for weaving multilingual, personal narratives that challenge stereotypes and explore cultural hybridity, Afra bridges heritage and modernity. Over the years, she's earned multiple accolades, including the Abu Dhabi Music and Art Foundation's Creativity Award. Her debut poetry collection, Of Palm Trees and Skies , brings together 26 poems that reflect on identity, culture, and belonging. The collection blends traditional Arabic poetic forms with a fresh, contemporary voice. Hala Alyan Palestinian-American writer, poet, and clinical psychologist, Hala Alyan's writings cover aspects of identity and the effects of displacement, particularly within the Palestinian diaspora. In her lyrical and deeply personal memoir, I'll Tell You When I'm Home , she explores loss—both ancestral and immediate with tenderness and clarity. The book reflects on storytelling through mothers and daughters as a means of survival. The book's most poignant reckoning: how does one hold on to a Palestinian identity while living far from the land? The book addresses longing for motherhood, for a return to the Levantine homeland that shaped her family history. Alyan's writing doesn't offer easy answers; it gives voice to the ache and beauty of diasporic existence. Dana Dajani is a performer, activist, and storyteller who brings poetry to address themes of displacement, justice, and creative resistance. Palestinian by origin, raised in the UAE, Dajani uses poetry as a form of resistance, remembrance, and reclamation. She has taken the stage at iconic venues like the Sydney Opera House and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. In the UAE, she developed a pioneering Drama Therapy Program for children with autism—an initiative that earned her recognition as Emirates Woman Artist of the Year and the Young Arab Award for Entertainment, among others. Her performances are anything but conventional. She brings a visceral energy to the stage, crafting solo pieces that blur the lines between poetry and theatre. She shifts fluidly between characters, embodying stories that confront issues of identity, justice, and resilience. Safia Elhillo This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from. Sudanese-American poet Safia Elhillo produces work between English and Arabic. She speaks from the in-between of cultures, of countries, of selves—crafting poems that examine diasporic longing and linguistic identity. With her recent book, Girls That Never Die , she writes about the shame and violence that often comes with being a woman. Her poetry doesn't ask for permission to feel deeply; it demands it.
Vogue Arabia
2 days ago
- Vogue Arabia
Lobe Language: 5 Earrings Trends to Shop Now
There's a definitive mood defining jewellery trends of 2025, and it can be best described as maximal yet meaningful. Chunky chains, kitschy icons, colourful accents and mixed metals are forming statement chokers, cuffs, rings and more – but ear lobes are where these looks are truly manifesting with aplomb. Women are wearing their personalities on their ears, and for summer 2025, these fall under a number of trending silhouettes. Below, see 5 leading earrings trends for the summer. Sardine girl summer To start with, there are the fish motifs that have been swimming through ears, from gold drop earrings from Isabel Marant and Anni Lu, to the singular fishbone earring by Dubai-based Kamushki, which encourages playful asymmetry. The nautical theme has been running strong in jewellery, with undertones that are both feminine and chaotic. Go for a bold take on this mermaid-esque style with Chloe's gold seashells with dangling charms, or seek out a more refined sense of opulence with Dior's drop earrings dotted with seashells, seahorses, starfish and pearls. Isabel Marant Earrings, AED 900 Kamushki Earring, AED 3,806 Chloe Earrings, AED 4,390 Riding the wave Bringing the oceanic theme to more subtle waters are the wave silhouettes that we're seeing in earrings, framing wearers' faces to striking effect. Saudi jewellery brand Apoa offers these stylish squiggles with pearls, while UAE label Ailes Jewellery presents these in fine jewellery, with diamonds. Ailes Jewellery Earrings, AED 15,445 Mixed metals Mixed metals are still enjoying the limelight, as is evidenced by the latest drops from Saint Laurent, Demarson and Egypt's very own Jude Benhalim. This season's twist on the trend sees earrings fitted with hoops in contrasting sizes and shapes, in both gold and silver finishes. Demarson Earrings, AED 810 Jude Benhalim Earrings, AED 1,334 Floral inspired Flowers are also adorning ears, but not the dainty, delicate and diamond-studded blooms that are typical of women's jewellery. Instead, designers are experimenting with oversized styles and finishings, giving duos and trios of flora a sculptural edge with drama and decadence. Lebanese label Vanina achieves this with large, head-turning earrings crafted from natural shells, while Jennifer Behr's come in glorious, gold-plated brass. Jennifer Behr Earrings, AED 1,415
Vogue Arabia
24-07-2025
- Vogue Arabia
The Best Wedding Hairstyles for 2025, According to Top Stylists
Forget cookie-cutter chignons and overly lacquered curls. Today's bridal hair is polished, expressive, and designed to feel like you. From glass-like shine to soft braids and undone updos, the modern bride wants a look that feels effortless yet elevated. Drawing on runway minimalism, nostalgic beauty icons, and the mood of destination celebrations, this season's styles are less about perfection, more about presence. Here we speak to four hair experts reimagining bridal hair for 2025 and beyond. Modern Muse with Limoz Logli at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab This season, bridal hair is all about embracing the elegance of simplicity, with soft waves or simple, pared-back updos that allow hair accessories to take centre stage. Whether it's a delicate headband, floral accents, or a sophisticated veil, these accessories enhance the overall look effortlessly. Inspired and beautifully paired with the sleek finishes at Loewe and the romantic sheerness seen at Erdem, this approach combines structure with softness. Book here Polished to Perfection with Maria Dowling at Al Meena Residence Summer 2025's bridal hair trends centre on one essential element: ultra-sleek, glass-like hair with an almost jelly-like shine that radiates health and polish. For the modern bride, condition is everything, so preparation is key. Invest early in a professional haircare routine and don't overlook in-salon treatments. My favourite is the Alterna bespoke luxury hair treatment, a personalised blend of eco-certified proteins and fatty acids that repairs damage, restores strength, and delivers that luminous finish every bride wants. The middle parting remains a go-to, whether styled into a demure ballerina bun, Sophia Richie's bridal look continues to inspire for its timeless elegance, or worn tucked behind the ears with subtle volume at the crown. Book here Botanical Beauty with Natalie at UNIK Studio Photo:I'm loving flower crowns for summer weddings, especially those that feel undone, natural, and organic, rather than overly structured or fixed in place. Think delicate blooms and soft greenery woven loosely through the hair, creating a romantic, effortless look that complements the season. This style works wonderfully with tousled waves, textured braids, or even a relaxed updo, and allows brides to channel a modern bohemian vibe without appearing too 'done'. It's a look that recalls the free-spirited elegance of Jane Birkin's iconic wedding flower crown to Ashley Tisdale's boho-chic outdoor bridal style and Solange Knowles' baby-breath moment. Book here A Classic, Reimagined with Hamza at Hamzafied Beauty Salon Photo:Classic and elegant brides never go out of style. In the 2025 to 2026 bridal season, we're seeing a strong resurgence of the timeless French twist, an iconic hairstyle that continues to define sophisticated bridal beauty. Beloved for its versatility, the French twist flatters all face shapes and complements a variety of partings, whether side, middle, or back. This elegant style gained legendary status through Hollywood and fashion icons like Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Brigitte Bardot, who famously wore variations of the French twist both on-screen and off. Today, it's been reimagined for brides who want to celebrate in style while embracing a look that remains timeless in every photo for years to come. Book here
