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Straits Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
China's favourite ‘ugly' products celebrated with exhibition and awards
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Visitors at the Era Of Uglies Has Arrived exhibition in Hangzhou, China, on Aug 13. HANGZHOU – From sandals inspired by cabbage leaves to a tower of misshapen cat pillows, a new exhibition in Hangzhou is celebrating the weirdest and most aesthetically unappealing products available for sale online in China. The Era Of Uglies Has Arrived exhibition, organised for the first time this year by Alibaba-owned e-commerce giant Taobao, spotlights more than 300 products that have won or been shortlisted for the platform's annual Ugly Stuff Competition, also known as the Uglies Award. On display at the exhibition are sandals inspired by cabbage leaves. PHOTO: REUTERS The Uglies Award' s project lead Yu Hu said the exhibition attracted more than 3,000 visitors a day during its run from late July to mid-August. 'Ugly' products on Taobao have generated more than 100 million yuan (S$17.9 million) in sales since 2020, according to Alibaba, with Yu estimating current growth rates for the sector in the 'double or triple digits'. Younger consumers are fuelling the popularity of these unprepossessing products because they want to express their individuality, Yu added. As the economy languishes, they are also looking for affordable luxuries, a phenomenon known as emotional consumption. 'In recent years, emotional consumption has become more and more of a 'blue ocean', meaning it's becoming increasingly popular, turning into a new (spending) track,' Yu said. The products have won or been shortlisted for Taobao's annual Ugly Stuff Competition, also known as the Uglies Award. PHOTO: REUTERS Ugly-cute accessory Labubu is a well-known example of the phenomenon, sparking a global buying frenzy with its wide eyes and toothy grin, and winning celebrity fans including Barbadian singer Rihanna and English former footballer David Beckham. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore NDR 2025: Age Well Neighbourhoods will help improve seniors' access to healthcare, social activities Singapore NDR 2025: New govt-funded traineeship scheme for ITE, poly, university graduates Singapore NDR 2025: More avenues for S'poreans to be heard, get involved will be opened up, says PM Wong Business Singapore key exports fall worse than expected in July as shipments to US plunge 42.7% World Trump, tech and Texas: What's next for the US? Singapore N(T) students more likely to finish school, do as well in job market as N(A) peers: Study Singapore Singapore-developed device for diabetics measures long-term average blood sugar levels within 6 mins Business Asean can fend off protectionism blow by boosting integration: Singapore Business Federation chief For some visitors, the exhibition was a reflection on the meaning of beauty, while others saw it as a lesson in creative thinking. 'Ugliness is another form of beauty,' said exhibition visitor Mei Duo, 55. 'There's so much creativity, it's a special type of beauty. ' REUTERS
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
From cabbage slides to cat plushie towers, Taobao's ‘Era of Uglies' exhibition puts cringe on show
HANGZHOU, Aug 15 — From sandals inspired by cabbage leaves to a tower of misshapen cat pillows, a new exhibition in Hangzhou is celebrating the weirdest and most aesthetically unappealing products available for sale online in China. The 'Era of Uglies Has Arrived' exhibition, organised for the first time this year by Alibaba-owned e-commerce giant Taobao, spotlights more than 300 products that have won or been shortlisted for the platform's annual Ugly Stuff Competition, also known as the Uglies Award. People visit the exhibition 'Era of Uglies Has Arrived' by Alibaba's Taobao, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China August 13, 2025. — Reuters pic Yu Hu, project lead for the Uglies Award, said the Era of Uglies attracted more than 3,000 visitors a day during its run from late July to mid-August. 'Ugly' products on Taobao have generated more than 100 million yuan (RM58.7 million) in sales since 2020, according to Alibaba, with Yu estimating current growth rates for the sector in the 'double or triple digits.' People visit the exhibition 'Era of Uglies Has Arrived' by Alibaba's Taobao, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China August 13, 2025. — Reuters pic Younger consumers are fuelling the popularity of these unprepossessing products because they want to express their individuality, Yu added. As the economy languishes, they are also looking for affordable luxuries, a phenomenon known as emotional consumption. 'In recent years, emotional consumption has become more and more of a 'blue ocean', meaning it's becoming increasingly popular, turning into a new (spending) track,' Yu said. People visit the exhibition 'Era of Uglies Has Arrived' by Alibaba's Taobao, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China August 13, 2025. — Reuters pic Ugly-cute accessory Labubu is a well-known example of the phenomenon, sparking a global buying frenzy with its wide eyes and toothy grin, and winning celebrity fans including Rihanna and David Beckham. For some visitors, the exhibition was a reflection on the meaning of beauty, while others saw it as a lesson in creative thinking. 'Ugliness is another form of beauty,' said exhibition visitor Mei Duo, 55. 'There's so much creativity, (it's) a special type of beauty.' — Reuters
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
China's favourite 'ugly' products celebrated with exhibition
HANGZHOU, China: From sandals inspired by cabbage leaves to a tower of misshapen cat pillows, a new exhibition in Hangzhou is celebrating the weirdest and most aesthetically unappealing products available for sale online in China. The 'Era of Uglies Has Arrived' exhibition, organised for the first time this year by Alibaba-owned e-commerce giant Taobao, spotlights more than 300 products that have won or been shortlisted for the platform's annual Ugly Stuff Competition, also known as the Uglies Award. Yu Hu, project lead for the Uglies Award, said the Era of Uglies attracted more than 3,000 visitors a day during its run from late July to mid-August. "Ugly" products on Taobao have generated more than 100 million yuan (US$13.94 million) in sales since 2020, according to Alibaba, with Yu estimating current growth rates for the sector in the "double or triple digits." Younger consumers are fuelling the popularity of these unprepossessing products because they want to express their individuality, Yu added. As the economy languishes, they are also looking for affordable luxuries, a phenomenon known as emotional consumption. "In recent years, emotional consumption has become more and more of a 'blue ocean', meaning it's becoming increasingly popular, turning into a new (spending) track," Yu said. Ugly-cute accessory Labubu is a well-known example of the phenomenon, sparking a global buying frenzy with its wide eyes and toothy grin, and winning celebrity fans including Rihanna and David Beckham. For some visitors, the exhibition was a reflection on the meaning of beauty, while others saw it as a lesson in creative thinking. "Ugliness is another form of beauty," said exhibition visitor Mei Duo, 55. "There's so much creativity, (it's) a special type of beauty."
Business Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Times
China's favourite ‘ugly' products celebrated with exhibition
[HANGZHOU] From sandals inspired by cabbage leaves to a tower of misshapen cat pillows, a new exhibition in Hangzhou is celebrating the weirdest and most aesthetically unappealing products available for sale online in China. The 'Era of Uglies Has Arrived' exhibition, organised for the first time this year by Alibaba-owned e-commerce giant Taobao, spotlights more than 300 products that have won or been shortlisted for the platform's annual Ugly Stuff Competition, also known as the Uglies Award. Yu Hu, project lead for the Uglies Award, said the Era of Uglies attracted more than 3,000 visitors a day during its run from late July to mid-August. 'Ugly' products on Taobao have generated more than 100 million yuan (S$17.9 million) in sales since 2020, according to Alibaba, with Yu estimating current growth rates for the sector in the 'double or triple digits.' Younger consumers are fuelling the popularity of these unprepossessing products because they want to express their individuality, Yu added. As the economy languishes, they are also looking for affordable luxuries, a phenomenon known as emotional consumption. 'In recent years, emotional consumption has become more and more of a 'blue ocean', meaning it's becoming increasingly popular, turning into a new (spending) track,' Yu said. Ugly-cute accessory Labubu is a well-known example of the phenomenon, sparking a global buying frenzy with its wide eyes and toothy grin, and winning celebrity fans including Rihanna and David Beckham. For some visitors, the exhibition was a reflection on the meaning of beauty, while others saw it as a lesson in creative thinking. 'Ugliness is another form of beauty,' said exhibition visitor Mei Duo, 55. 'There's so much creativity, (it's) a special type of beauty.' REUTERS
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
China's favourite 'ugly' products celebrated
The exhibition features a tower of cat pillows. Photo: Reuters From sandals inspired by cabbage leaves to a tower of misshapen cat pillows, a new exhibition in Hangzhou is celebrating the weirdest and most aesthetically unappealing products available for sale online in China. The 'Era of Uglies Has Arrived' exhibition, organised for the first time this year by Alibaba-owned e-commerce giant Taobao, spotlights more than 300 products that have won or been shortlisted for the platform's annual Ugly Stuff Competition, also known as the Uglies Award. Yu Hu, project lead for the Uglies Award, said the Era of Uglies attracted more than 3000 visitors a day during its run from late July to mid-August. "Ugly" products on Taobao have generated more than 100 million yuan ($NZ23.5 million) in sales since 2020, according to Alibaba, with Yu estimating current growth rates for the sector in the "double or triple digits." A cabbage leaf inspired sandal. Photo: Reuters Younger consumers are fuelling the popularity of these unprepossessing products because they want to express their individuality, Yu added. As the economy languishes, they are also looking for affordable luxuries, a phenomenon known as emotional consumption. "In recent years, emotional consumption has become more and more of a 'blue ocean', meaning it's becoming increasingly popular, turning into a new (spending) track," Yu said. Ugly-cute accessory Labubu is a well-known example of the phenomenon, sparking a global buying frenzy with its wide eyes and toothy grin, and winning celebrity fans including Rihanna and Sir David Beckham. For some visitors, the exhibition was a reflection on the meaning of beauty, while others saw it as a lesson in creative thinking. "Ugliness is another form of beauty," said exhibition visitor Mei Duo, 55. "There's so much creativity, (it's) a special type of beauty."
