Latest news with #TheMonstersTrilogy
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What's a Labubu and why do I need one? Everything to know about the viral stuffed toy that has people talking.
Take a quick scroll through your social media feed, and chances are you'll come across a furry, fluffy, stuffed monster with devious eyes and a wide, toothy smile hanging proudly from a luxury handbag. In a matter of months, this mischievous critter — known as a Labubu — has exploded in online popularity, becoming one of the world's most coveted bag charms. So what's with the fascination? Why are these creepy-looking collectibles the hottest accessory of the season? With a stamp of approval from A-listers like Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and Dua Lipa, a Labubu is a 'blind box' toy manufactured by Pop Mart, a Chinese toy company. A blind box toy is a collectible figure sold at random in a sealed box, so the buyer has no idea what they're getting. The Labubu was introduced in the 2015 children's picture book, The Monsters Trilogy, which was created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung. Lung drew inspiration from Nordic mythology when crafting these monsters, setting his trio of picture books in a mystical world occupied by magical creatures. Lung signed a deal with Pop Mart in 2019 to put his characters into production as collectible figures. Labubus were eventually turned into bag charms in 2023 with the 'Exciting Macaron' collection, which features six pastel-colored plushies from Pop Mart's 'The Monsters' collection. But Labubu isn't the only creature from Lung's books that has been turned into plushies and charms — there's also Zimono, who has a tail and is bigger than Labubu, and Mokoko, who is pink and has a heart-shaped nose. Labubu, who is canonically female, is described by Pop Mart as being 'a small monster with high, pointed ears and serrated teeth' that is 'kind-hearted and always wants to help, but often accidentally achieves the opposite.' While TikTok has definitely taken the Labubu craze to the next level, the furry critters were originally popularized by Blackpink and White Lotus star Lisa. An early adoptee of the Labubu craze, the 'Rockstar' singer first shared photos of herself with a Labubu in April 2024, later decorating her Christmas tree with several of them. 'I just got into Pop Mart like early this year, and I learned about this from one of my close friends in Thailand,' Lisa told Vanity Fair in November 2024. 'I go [to] Pop Mart everywhere. If I fly to New York, I go to Miami, I try to find Pop Mart there. Paris, you know, everywhere. [It's] kind of like treasure, finding treasure.' Rihanna has since been spotted at a private L.A. airport with a pink Labubu clipped to her Louis Vuitton Speedy in February. David Beckham, who was gifted a brown Labubu from his daughter Harper Beckham, was seen toting the plushie around on his black leather bag in May. Chris Evans, while promoting his upcoming film Materialists in June, was also seen unboxing a Labubu during a premiere. Bethenny Frankel has even gotten in on the craze — The Real Housewives of New York City alum debuted her pink Labubu, dressed in head-to-toe Chanel, on June 9. Lipa, who's made her love for Labubus known, was spotted with one on her Birkin bag at JFK Airport in New York City last December. Kardashian, meanwhile, has an extensive Labubu collection, which she's shared on Instagram. More than 300 Labubu variants have been released, which include collections like 'Fall in Wild,' 'Have a Seat' and 'Big Into Energy.' Pop Mart has even collaborated with brands like Coca-Cola and Uniqlo to create their own collection of Labubus. In addition to introducing new types of Labubus in each series, there's often a rare, 'secret' figure that's made available too. 'Every collection, they have like the rare one,' Lisa told Vanity Fair in November 2024. 'It's really hard to get. We call them 'secret.' So I always wish that I got secret.' Some Labubu aficionados also dress their critters up in branded clothing to better distinguish 'what kind of girl' she is. Labubus have been seen wearing a slew of designer garments, from Alo Yoga and Prada to Louis Vuitton and Miu Miu. Unfortunately, nabbing one of these coveted creatures is easier said than done. While Pop Mart does weekly restocks of their Labubu collections — online on Thursdays and in store on Fridays — they sell out immediately. Resellers are often your best bet for nabbing one of these stuffed toys, though prices can reach up to $7,000 for limited editions — a far cry from the Pop Mart retail price of around $32 per blind box. Fake Labubus, otherwise known as 'Lafufus' are popping up en masse as a result. Independent doll designers like August Dahl are also selling handmade, one-of-a-kind 'Bratzbubus' — a take on the Labubu doll craze using Bratz doll heads. Because of how coveted they are, Labubu theft has also become a growing concern. Thieves in Hempstead, Hertfordshire, in the U.K. raided a vehicle carrying more than $203,000 in Pop Mart products in April of this year. Labubus are also being snatched directly off people's purses. The Labubu craze has even gone so far as to incite full-on mobs and brawls at some Pop Mart locations. In an effort to 'prevent any potential safety issues,' in May, Pop Mart chose to stop selling Labubus in all 16 of their U.K. stores until June, following increased reports of customers fighting one another for them. 'Labubu will return to physical stores in June, and we are currently working on a new release mechanism that is better structured and more equitable for everyone involved,' the manufacturer told the BBC last month. Those in pursuit of the plushie in the U.K., however, are still awaiting its return, both online and in stores.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What's a Labubu and why do I need one? Everything to know about the viral stuffed toy that has people talking.
Take a quick scroll through your social media feed, and chances are you'll come across a furry, fluffy, stuffed monster with devious eyes and a wide, toothy smile hanging proudly from a luxury handbag. In a matter of months, this mischievous critter — known as a Labubu — has exploded in online popularity, becoming one of the world's most coveted bag charms. So what's with the fascination? Why are these creepy-looking collectibles the hottest accessory of the season? With a stamp of approval from A-listers like Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and Dua Lipa, a Labubu is a 'blind box' toy manufactured by Pop Mart, a Chinese toy company. A blind box toy is a collectible figure sold at random in a sealed box, so the buyer has no idea what they're getting. The Labubu was introduced in the 2015 children's picture book, The Monsters Trilogy, which was created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung. Lung drew inspiration from Nordic mythology when crafting these monsters, setting his trio of picture books in a mystical world occupied by magical creatures. Lung signed a deal with Pop Mart in 2019 to put his characters into production as collectible figures. Labubus were eventually turned into bag charms in 2023 with the 'Exciting Macaron' collection, which features six pastel-colored plushies from Pop Mart's 'The Monsters' collection. But Labubu isn't the only creature from Lung's books that has been turned into plushies and charms — there's also Zimono, who has a tail and is bigger than Labubu, and Mokoko, who is pink and has a heart-shaped nose. Labubu, who is canonically female, is described by Pop Mart as being 'a small monster with high, pointed ears and serrated teeth' that is 'kind-hearted and always wants to help, but often accidentally achieves the opposite.' While TikTok has definitely taken the Labubu craze to the next level, the furry critters were originally popularized by Blackpink and White Lotus star Lisa. An early adoptee of the Labubu craze, the 'Rockstar' singer first shared photos of herself with a Labubu in April 2024, later decorating her Christmas tree with several of them. 'I just got into Pop Mart like early this year, and I learned about this from one of my close friends in Thailand,' Lisa told Vanity Fair in November 2024. 'I go [to] Pop Mart everywhere. If I fly to New York, I go to Miami, I try to find Pop Mart there. Paris, you know, everywhere. [It's] kind of like treasure, finding treasure.' Rihanna has since been spotted at a private L.A. airport with a pink Labubu clipped to her Louis Vuitton Speedy in February. David Beckham, who was gifted a brown Labubu from his daughter Harper Beckham, was seen toting the plushie around on his black leather bag in May. Chris Evans, while promoting his upcoming film Materialists in June, was also seen unboxing a Labubu during a premiere. Bethenny Frankel has even gotten in on the craze — The Real Housewives of New York City alum debuted her pink Labubu, dressed in head-to-toe Chanel, on June 9. Lipa, who's made her love for Labubus known, was spotted with one on her Birkin bag at JFK Airport in New York City last December. Kardashian, meanwhile, has an extensive Labubu collection, which she's shared on Instagram. More than 300 Labubu variants have been released, which include collections like 'Fall in Wild,' 'Have a Seat' and 'Big Into Energy.' Pop Mart has even collaborated with brands like Coca-Cola and Uniqlo to create their own collection of Labubus. In addition to introducing new types of Labubus in each series, there's often a rare, 'secret' figure that's made available too. 'Every collection, they have like the rare one,' Lisa told Vanity Fair in November 2024. 'It's really hard to get. We call them 'secret.' So I always wish that I got secret.' Some Labubu aficionados also dress their critters up in branded clothing to better distinguish 'what kind of girl' she is. Labubus have been seen wearing a slew of designer garments, from Alo Yoga and Prada to Louis Vuitton and Miu Miu. Unfortunately, nabbing one of these coveted creatures is easier said than done. While Pop Mart does weekly restocks of their Labubu collections — online on Thursdays and in store on Fridays — they sell out immediately. Resellers are often your best bet for nabbing one of these stuffed toys, though prices can reach up to $7,000 for limited editions — a far cry from the Pop Mart retail price of around $32 per blind box. Fake Labubus, otherwise known as 'Lafufus' are popping up en masse as a result. Independent doll designers like August Dahl are also selling handmade, one-of-a-kind 'Bratzbubus' — a take on the Labubu doll craze using Bratz doll heads. Because of how coveted they are, Labubu theft has also become a growing concern. Thieves in Hempstead, Hertfordshire, in the U.K. raided a vehicle carrying more than $203,000 in Pop Mart products in April of this year. Labubus are also being snatched directly off people's purses. The Labubu craze has even gone so far as to incite full-on mobs and brawls at some Pop Mart locations. In an effort to 'prevent any potential safety issues,' in May, Pop Mart chose to stop selling Labubus in all 16 of their U.K. stores until June, following increased reports of customers fighting one another for them. 'Labubu will return to physical stores in June, and we are currently working on a new release mechanism that is better structured and more equitable for everyone involved,' the manufacturer told the BBC last month. Those in pursuit of the plushie in the U.K., however, are still awaiting its return, both online and in stores.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
What is a 'Labubu' and why has the $7,000 bug-eyed Chinese toy fuelled so much hype
Labubu , a bug-eyed, elf-like creature with jagged teeth and a wild tuft of hair, has gone from a niche picture book character to a global pop culture obsession. It's now the star of millions of TikTok videos, a favourite of A-list celebrities, and the centre of scuffles at toy shops from Los Angeles to Beijing. These toys aren't just cute. They're currency. What is Labubu, and why is everyone talking about it? Labubu is part of a broader cast known as The Monsters, a fictional group created by Dutch-born Hong Kong illustrator Kasing Lung . First introduced in his Nordic mythology-inspired 2015 book series The Monsters Trilogy, Labubu is described by Pop Mart — the Chinese retail giant that now sells the dolls — as an 'elvish creature' who is 'kind-hearted and always wants to help, but often accidentally achieves the opposite.' Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Solo si nació entre 1956-1996 Accede al programa con Amazon CFD TradeLG Haz clic aquí Undo The character stands out with its crocodile smile, oversized eyes and ambiguous gender. 'Labubu is a girl,' fans often clarify online. She isn't a standalone figure either. She's romantically linked to Tycoco, a vegetarian skeleton monster, and distinctly not involved with Zimomo, the actual leader of The Monsters who is often confused with her. How a collectible became a status symbol Labubu entered the vinyl toy scene in 2019 when Pop Mart licensed Lung's characters into 'blind box' collectibles — sealed packages that hide which toy design is inside. Selling for around $20–$30, these mystery boxes created an addictive treasure-hunt dynamic. Particularly sought after are the ultra-rare 'secret' editions, with just a 1-in-72 chance of being found. Live Events Fans have since flocked to social media to show off their unboxings. The hashtag #labubu has been used in more than 1 million posts worldwide, with over 32,000 of those in the US alone last week, according to TikTok analytics. Labubu's popularity exploded after BLACKPINK's Lisa was seen with one and spoke about her fondness for the doll in interviews and online posts. Rihanna and Dua Lipa soon followed, donning Labubu dolls like fashion statements. The toys even made a surprise appearance at Paris Fashion Week. Sold out in seconds, sold online for thousands With demand far outpacing supply, acquiring a Labubu has become a competitive sport. In many Pop Mart stores, shelves are often bare. At a Beijing mall, CNN found only display samples left in glass cabinets. 'It's almost impossible to get a Labubu via the official channels,' Pop Mart fan Evelyn Lin told CNN. Re-sellers have stepped in to capitalise. Limited-edition Labubus have been listed on eBay for up to $7,000. On StockX, where buyers can place bids, some toys — including a collaboration with Vans — are fetching over $3,000. According to Cover News, blind boxes from the Labubu 3.0 series, initially priced at 584 yuan (₹7,000), are now reselling for up to 2,000 yuan (₹24,000). Chaos in the queue, trouble at the border Labubu mania isn't all harmless fun. In the US, TikTok videos show people yelling and shoving in lines outside shops. One user called it the 'Labubu Hunger Games,' describing a chaotic morning at a California mall during a product release. Back in China — the home of Pop Mart and the dolls' main manufacturing base — people are resorting to unorthodox means. At least 462 Labubu toys were recently confiscated by Chinese customs officials, who found them being smuggled in for resale. In one case, suitcases packed with Labubus were shown off at a press event like a drug bust. 'Because they are not available on official platforms, if you're in a rush to get a gift for a friend, you just can't manage to get the popular ones in time,' said Beijing-based fan Kate Yang. 'You can only pay extra to buy from resale platforms.' She also revealed that her two most recent purchases from resellers were counterfeits. A familiar trend: Fandom, overconsumption and online clout Labubu isn't the first — or the last — viral product to inspire mass hysteria. The phenomenon mirrors the Stanley Cup craze, which similarly saw lines, fights, and thefts for reusable drinkware. Like Stanley fans, Labubu buyers are now facing criticism over perceived overconsumption. 'I genuinely don't believe that you people like that. You're only buying it because other people are buying it,' said one TikTok user in a video liked over 350,000 times. Another video, liked nearly 250,000 times, criticised bulk buying and reselling as part of a 'hype machine' culture rather than genuine appreciation. Despite the criticism, the numbers are hard to ignore. According to NBC News, The Monsters is now Pop Mart's best-selling franchise, with $419 million in sales last year. Across all products, Pop Mart's revenue in mainland China alone surged to $1.09 billion — a 34% jump from 2023. Its global gross profit rose by over 125%. Labubu may be a small toy. But the world's hunger for her is anything but. And whether you're in it for the art, the hype, or the hunt — Labubu has become a mirror of modern consumer culture . Small in size, enormous in impact.
