Latest news with #TheMonsters'
CairoScene
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Labubu Collectables Now Available on Careem in Dubai & Abu Dhabi
The designer toy craze hits new heights as Pop Mart's viral figures get express delivery treatment. May 29, 2025 Labubu, the impish, wide-eyed character from Pop Mart's 'The Monsters' toy line, has taken over schoolyards, TikTok feeds, and now—Careem. The mischievous doll is part of a broader global craze for collectible art toys known as "blind box" figures: small vinyl toys sold in mystery packaging, where the exact character isn't revealed until opened. Originally designed by Hong Kong-based illustrator Kasing Lung, Labubu is one of Pop Mart's most recognisable figures, blending eerie charm with playful collectability. Now, thanks to a new partnership between Pop Mart and Careem, Labubu dolls can be delivered straight to your door in under 20 minutes in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The express delivery feature, available through the Careem app, allows customers to skip store queues and avoid long wait times, a relief for parents navigating toy store hype or playground peer pressure.
Hypebeast
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Is a Labubu and Kobe Bryant Collaboration Coming Soon?
Summary The collectible toy world is abuzz with speculation as the immense popularity ofLabubudolls, created by Hong Kong-born artistKasing Lung, appears to be intersecting with the enduring legacy ofNBAlegendKobe Bryant. Reports and circulating images suggest that a Kobe Bryant x Labubu collaboration could be hitting the market sometime soon. The frenzy surrounding Labubu, part of Pop Mart's 'The Monsters' series, has skyrocketed, particularly in Asia and globally, fueled by celebrity endorsements likeBLACKPINK'sLisa. The dolls are known for their distinct appearance: furry elf characters with rabbit-like ears and a mischievous, saw-toothed grin, often sold in blind boxes. The rumors of a Kobe collaboration gained significant traction whenVanessa Bryantshared a photo on Instagram of a pink Labubu doll wearing a black hoodie adorned with Kobe's iconic sheath logo. Given Kobe Bryant's immense idolatry, especially in China, where Pop Mart has a massive presence, an official crossover seems increasingly plausible. No word on the collaboration has been announced just yet.
India Today
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
It is Labubu's world, and even Rihanna, Ananya Panday are living in it
Wide-eyed, cony ears, puckish grin and colourful fluff body hanging from a bag – sounds like a familiar sight. You've probably seen it on the streets or doomscrolled past it already. Well, what we are talking about is a Labubu – a 'monster' doll that has paved its way into the luxury fashion accessories world and gremlin-like creature is a common sight these days in several countries. And its craze can be attributed to Blackpink's Lisa, to an extent. Just like Barbie or Hot Wheels, these collectables also come in different shapes, sizes and colours originadvertisementFirst things first, what is a Labubu? Essentially, this fuzzy plushie is a Nordic creature. Artist Kasing Lung from Hong Kong drew inspiration from Nordic mythology and folklore. Its manufacturing history can be traced to almost a decade, when he introduced the concept of 'The Monsters' series in 2015. It was a cast of caricature creatures that first made an appearance in the artist's picture books. Four years later, in 2019, it was licensed by China-based toy company Pop Mart. As soon as it hit the shelves, it became a popular to the present: it's not merely a popular collectable, it's become a fashion statement. And the best part (or weird, you decide), these dolls are sold in 'blind boxes' and the buyers are absolutely unaware of what they are toy that's taking over the globe Blackpink's Lisa flaunts her Labubu Dolls (Instagram/lalalalisa_m) advertisementRecently, in an interview, Lisa shared her inclination towards these toothy plushies. Speaking to Variety, the singer mentioned how she has been 'going crazy for them for almost a year'.Lisa also revealed she was 'sad' because she just couldn't get enough of these. After she flaunted four of her Labubu collectables hanging from her bag, the internet went into meltdown, and Pop Mart's sales skyrocketed. According to CNN, Labubu alone accounted for $410 million of Pop Mart's $1.8 billion revenue in 2024. Netizens hopping on the Labubu trend (Screengrab from X) Now, not everyone is at peace with the dolls' skyrocketing fanfare, some have an alternate option too. And just in case you thought that it's just Lisa going crazy about these dolls, let us stop you right there. Rihanna and Dua Lipa have also been spotted with these Nordic luxury charms on their bags. Some people have also expressed how these dolls have simply become a fashionable escape into their childhood amidst the chaos of adulting. They are ugly but carry a tinge of mischief that brings out the inner child. For some, they may also serve as a reminder not to take things too seriously. Cute yet ugly, much like life itself?Sold out!The craze behind these colourful, funky dolls is through the roof, so much so, that there's seemingly a scarcity in the in her interview, also shared how she is still unable to get her hands on these charms due to their one e-commerce website is addressing this pain point for Labubu lovers. By Rotation, a UK-based e-commerce platform, allows people to tap into the trend by shelling out 4 a day. It also has an app where one can find almost 20 varieties of these dolls and flaunt the charm for a day or more. The Labubu craze in IndiaWe tend to follow our Western counterparts quite often, and have we done the same in this regard too? Yes, to some Wednesday, Ananya Panday was spotted carrying a bag with a pink Labubu charm hanging from it. This only cements its reputation as a fashion accessory because 'Bae' is a true-blue fashionista, isn't it?Watch the video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by ShowMo (@showmo_india)Redditors in India too seemed very curious about this viral charm. Labubu trend takes over Reddit advertisementWhile it may take a while for the Labubu trend to take off in India, it reveals our deep craving for comfort and nostalgia. More importantly, it's also a quiet rebellion against 'perfection'. The doll has found acceptance in its 'ugly', and that says a lot about our changing mentality.
Daily Mirror
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Labubu dolls are going viral - everything you need to know about the latest craze
Gremlin-like dolls on keychains have taken the internet by storm. Labubus are the hottest must-have accessory, with celebs like Rihanna rocking them. Here's what you need to know about the craze Owning a Labubu is something to brag about, now that they're pretty much impossible to buy. The Tiktok hashtag for Labubus has amassed 1.2 million videos so far, and there's no sign of the hype slowing down yet. Celebrities like Central Cee, BLACKPINK's Lisa and Rosé, Dua Lipa and Rihanna have been spotted with a Labubu (or two) hanging on bags. These scary-cute dolls are often sold out online and in stores, so owning a Labubu has become a prize-possession, more like a collectible. For quite some time, my ForYou page on TikTok only had videos of people unboxing Labubus - and I have to admit, I am getting swept up in the hype. I've been down the rabbit hole of what these dolls are. Here's everything you need to know. What are they? Labubu is a quirky character from 'The Monsters' series created by illustrator Kasing Lung in 2015. The character have pointy ears, really sharp teeth and are small in height. The design resembles a gremlin, which many find to be cute. In March 2025, the creator collaborated with Harrods for a pop-up event, where fans, like Olivia Attwood, were able to meet him and have their Labubu-items signed. Labubus are made and sold by Pop Mart, which is a Chinese retailer known for its 'blind box' collectibles. So-called "blind boxes" are when the toys come individually wrapped in foil packages, so the item itself is unknown to the buyer at time of purchase. By not knowing what's inside, buyers don't know which colour or design they're getting from the range of different collectibles until they open the box. Adding to the craze of blind box collecting, its popularity has led to an internet obsession, with many posting videos of them 'unboxing' their Labubus. This has led to a surge in demand for them. On April 25, Pop Mart released its third edition of the Labubu series, named The Monsters Big into Energy Series - Vinyl Plush Pendant Blind Box. These dolls come in a variety of different colours, but which one a buyer will get remains a mystery until they open it. Where can you get them? Due to its popularity, they have become difficult to purchase with many places selling out of the series. While they are in stock, Labubus are available to purchase on Pop Mart's website and Amazon. If you live in London, Selfridges recently opened a Pop Mart pop-up that you can visit for the next six months. The prices can cost anywhere from £13.50 to £79.50, depending on its design and how rare they are. Quick to sell-out online, there are often long queues at physical stores in the UK. But with the influence of celebrities owning them, it's not a surprise. Why are people so obsessed with them? Despite having distinctive facial features and angry expression, they've become so popular. Social media is obsessed with them. The hype began on streaming platforms like TikTok, the Chinese-social media platform Xiaohongshu, and Instagram, where users would be revealing what they had received in their blind boxes. Endorsements from A-listers like BLAKPINK's Lisa have also boosted Labubu's popularity. The singer previously mentioned her obsession with Labubus during an interview with Vanity Fair, referring to it as "my baby".
CNN
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Labubu: The ‘kind of ugly' plush toy that has taken the world by storm
People across Asia flocked to shopping malls and online stores Friday as they scrambled to get their hands on the latest edition of Labubu, a collectible toy that has sparked buying frenzies the world over. Inspired by Nordic folklore, the toothy, fluffy figurines — which typically come in palm-sized 'blind boxes' — drew crowds in cities from Bangkok, to Kuala Lumpur as the new collection went on sale. They were also made available online, where they quickly sold out. The brainchild of Hong Kong-born, Netherlands-raised illustrator Kasing Lung, Labubu and fellow creatures from his 'The Monsters' series have amassed a loyal following since their founding in 2015. But Labubu's popularity has spiked over the past year, thanks to celebrity endorsements. Lisa, from K-pop mega group Blackpink, has frequently professed her love of the creature on social media. 'Labubu is my baby,' she said in a recent Teen Vogue video. Titled 'Big Into Energy,' the latest drop features six vinyl plush pendants (and one 'secret' figurine) representing 'emotions' like love, hope and happiness — each made in new colorways. The new Labubus cost between $13 and $16 each in various Asian countries. Shortly after their release on Friday, some pendants were being resold for up to $90 on US online resell platform StockX. At the CentralWorld shopping mall in Bangkok, dozens of fans lined up before its branch of Pop Mart — Labubu's licensed distributor — had even opened, despite having pre-registered time slots. University student Kamolwan Pohfah, 21, said she left home early to reach the store because she couldn't wait to get her hands on the newest collection. 'I have been following Labubu for almost two years now,' she told CNN. 'It was kind of ugly at first sight. But I kept seeing it on social media. And my friends are crazy about it, so I follow them,' she said. Tourist Emily Jong, 27, who was also in line and visiting from Australia, said she tried her luck at the mall hours before she was due to fly home, but left empty-handed. 'We tried to line up but we didn't know we have to register,' she said. Hathairus Mekborisut, 53, bought a box set of six pendants. She decided to keep one, named 'luck,' for herself and to resell the rest. She's been 'longing' for a purple one, she said. Another reseller who goes by her nickname Mai, and wanted to remain anonymous, led a small group to buy up as many as possible. She said she could make double the retail price by reselling them to customers in other countries. Despite recently shooting to global fame, Labubu (who is a girl) has been a decade in the making. She first appeared as a side character, often hiding in the background, in a fairy world created by Lung in his three-part picture book series, 'The Monsters,' according to Pop Mart, the Chinese toy company licensed to sell Labubu merchandise. Boasting rabbit-like ears, big round eyes and a mischievous grin, Labubu is 'kind-hearted and always wants to help, but often accidentally achieves the opposite,' the company said on its website. Lung, 52, previously told Hong Kong local newspaper Ming Pao that the character was inspired by his childhood, which was filled with Nordic folk tales of elves, trolls and fairies. After moving to the Netherlands as a child, he picked up Dutch through simple picture books. Fans often accessorize their outfits by clipping Labubu plushies onto their clothes or bags (they were even spotted at Paris Fashion Week last month). The figurines are also taken to fan-led meet-ups or posted on online marketplaces, where they are traded and resold. Pop Mart, a Chinese toymaker that has made its mark in a collectibles market traditionally dominated by Japan, has found success in selling Labubus in a blind-box format — which makes contents a mystery until opened, adding to their appeal. 'The Monsters' series is its best-selling franchise, and last year generated 3 billion yuan ($410 million) in sales. Videos of young fans anxiously unboxing the figurines, and erupting into joy — or sometimes disappointment — have flooded social media platforms like TikTok. And celebrities like Rihanna and Blackpink's Rosé have only added to the hype. On Wednesday, Blackpink's Lisa showed off her new pink and yellow tie-dye furry Labubu, from the latest release, in an Instagram story. She revealed herself as a fan about a year ago, when a photo of the star hugging a large Labubu in a camping costume went viral. Her endorsement is widely credited with fueling the toy's popularity, particularly in Southeast Asia, which is Pop Mart's largest — and fastest growing — overseas market. Last year, the Chinese toymaker's annual revenues in the region grew by 619% to over 2.4 billion yuan ($309 million). A fan base is also growing in the US, though American buyers will have to pay more for their purchases amid a trade war between China and the US, which has hit most Chinese imports with a 145% tariff. (China retaliated with a 125% tariff.) A blind box from the latest series, which also went on sale in the US on Friday, is priced at $27.99, up from $21.99 for the previous series. Among the new Labubus being released is a rare one labeled 'Secret,' which buyers have just a 1-in-72- chance of unboxing. 'It's quite fun. If you do get the secret ones, you do get the dopamine,' said 27-year-old collector Lawrence Yu, who lives in Melbourne, Australia and has so far spent $1,200 Australian dollars ($763) on over two dozen Labubus, ranging from ones found in 'blind boxes' to plush toys. He recalled arriving ahead of a drop at a local mall, where a new Pop Mart store had opened last October, at 2:30 a.m, before spending 10 hours in line. 'I hope it comes to Melbourne soon,' he said in a video call, referring to the new series, which will not be released in physical stores in Australia until the end of this month.
