Latest news with #Zimomo
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
What are Labubu dolls? Where to get the 2025's viral collectibles?
In recent weeks, a quirky new craze has taken over the fashion scene — and no, it's not a handbag or designer shoe. It's Labubu, the mischievous little creature that's become 2025's must-have accessory. From fashionistas to street-style stars, these viral dolls are popping up on bags, keychains, and even red carpets, with demand soaring and store lines stretching around the block. Also Read: Is it safe to travel to Italy's Sicily? Red code warning issued after 'intense' Mount Etna eruption Labubu first originated in Hong Kong and stands apart from predecessors like Hello Kitty with its distinct elvish design. The character was born from a Nordic-inspired picture book by artist Kasing Lung, capturing imaginations with its whimsical, slightly mischievous look. In 2019, toy giant Pop Mart transformed Labubu into a collectible figure, and since then, each new collection has only fueled its soaring popularity, as reported by Labubu is part of a tribe called 'The Monsters,' and other members of the group are Zimomo, Mokoko, Tycoco, among others. What makes these dolls different from others is their unique features like wide eyes, a 'mischievous smile', nine very visible teeth, and an exterior furry body. With each collection, their facial expressions and outfits keep changing, making them different from the previous batch. Also Read: Does Leanna Lenee have a '$' tattoo on her ring finger? Travis Hunter's eagle-eyed fans say 'entire world warned him' While these dolls are adorable and have their charm, these collectibles are very hard to get, which adds to the excitement of the hunt. Moreover, these also come in a blind box, so if you want them in a particular colour, they are even harder to get. The Labubu dolls first came into the public eye via Lisa of Blackpink in April 2024. For fans eager to get their hands on the latest Labubu and The Monsters releases, Pop Mart is the go-to destination. The brand drops new collections online every Thursday at 9 p.m., followed by in-store releases every Friday at 10 a.m., making it the first and most reliable source for scoring these sought-after collectibles.
News18
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
What Is Labubu? The Cute-And-Creepy Doll Everyone Is Talking About
Last Updated: Labubu is part of a group called 'The Monsters', which includes other quirky creatures like Zimomo, Mokoko and Tycoco. Who says cute and creepy can't go hand in hand? Clearly, they haven't met a Labubu. With their toothy grins and fuzzy little bodies, these quirky dolls are 2025's most unexpected fashion obsession. From keychains to bag charms, Labubus are everywhere—clipped onto tote bags, flaunted on social media, and chased down by collectors willing to stand in long queues for the latest drop. Adding to the frenzy, celebrities have been spotted rocking Labubu accessories, turning the once-niche character into a full-blown style statement. But what is Labubu exactly? How did this elf-like creature turn into the 'it" accessory for so many people? Let's find out. Labubu looks like a character from a fantasy story with its pointed ears, big, wide eyes and mischievous grin that shows nine pointy teeth. It is part of a group called 'The Monsters", which includes other quirky creatures like Zimomo, Mokoko and Tycoco. The doll's design is inspired by Nordic mythology. Labubu was created by Kasing Lung, an artist born in Hong Kong and now living in Belgium. The character first appeared in Lung's children's book series. In 2019, Pop Mart, a popular toy company, started making Labubu dolls as collectables. Since then, Labubu has become more popular with new versions released regularly. Pop Mart describes Labubu as 'kind-hearted and always wants to help, but often accidentally achieves the opposite." How Did Labubu Become A Fashion Accessory? Labubu started as a collectable toy, but now it is a fashion accessory. One reason for its popularity is the 'blind box" format, where buyers don't know which version they will get until they open the box. This surprise element makes the quest of collecting them fun and exciting. The big boost came from celebrities and social media. Lisa from BLACKPINK is often credited with starting the craze. In a Variety interview, Lisa said, 'I can't stop talking about Labubus. I've been going crazy for them for almost a year, but now I can't really get new Labubus. They're really hard to find. I'm kind of sad." #LISA with her big Labubu's in her every :bubbles: live. She bought another friend for her brown one from the previous lemonade live :joy: — TEAM LISA PH (@TeamLisaPH) November 26, 2024 The singer further revealed that she has got 'only three to four" and want a 'whole box." Rihanna and Dua Lipa have also been spotted carrying Labubu charms which helped the trend go viral worldwide. In India, actress Ananya Panday was seen with a pink Labubu charm on her bag. Why Are Labubu Dolls So Popular? Labubu's jump from collectible toy to fashion must-have happened because of celebrities, social media unboxing videos and the thrill of collecting rare dolls. Fans enjoy showing off their finds online. Google Trends shows searches for 'Labubu doll" and 'Labubu keychain" have reached over 2.1 million in the past month alone. New Labubu collections often sell out within minutes. While regular dolls cost around $30 (about Rs. 2,500), rare limited editions can be much more expensive. The Business Behind Labubu's Success Pop Mart has seen remarkable growth because of their popularity. The company made $1.8 billion in 2024, which is twice as much as the year before. Bloomberg reports that Labubu and the 'The Monsters" series alone made about $400 million, which is a huge jump of 726% in just one year. But the craze has caused some problems too. In the UK, Pop Mart had to stop selling Labubu dolls for a while after customers started fighting in stores over them. A fan named Victoria Calvert told the BBC, 'It was just getting ridiculous. People were fighting and shouting, and you felt scared." To keep people safe, Pop Mart paused sales in 16 shops in the UK until June. First Published:
NBC News
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
What is Labubu? Why is she so popular? We have answers.
If you're reading this, odds are you've seen Labubu somewhere — on TikTok, in a group chat — and now are wondering: what even is a Labubu? First things first: Labubu is a girl. People often assume she's a boy (I did too, at first), but the fanbase is quick to correct that. Labubu also isn't a standalone character — she's part of a larger group called s 'The Monsters,' created by Hong Kong artist and author Kasing Lung. The Monsters debuted in a Nordic mythology-inspired picture book trilogy in 2015, and by 2019, toy giant Pop Mart had turned them into the viral vinyl collectibles we know today. Labubu is described as an 'elvish creature,' and according to Pop Mart, 'despite a mischievous look, she is kind-hearted and always wants to help, but often accidentally achieves the opposite.' She may look small and scary, but she means well. If you spot a creature that looks like Labubu but has a spiked tail, that's not her. That is Zimomo, the leader of The Monsters. And no, Zimomo and Labubu are not a thing. Labubu already has a boyfriend: Tycoco, a skeleton-looking vegetarian monster. Why is Labubu so popular? Labubu's rise in popularity can largely be credited to Lisa from BLACKPINK, who's professed her love for the creature in interviews and on her social media. Since then, demand has exploded with fans lining up overnight and paying well over retail. (Present company included).) Today, The Monsters series is Pop Mart's best-selling franchise and generated $419 million in sales last year, according to NBC News. Although the prized items are the vinyl plush bag charms, you can still get your hands on other Labubu figures, accessories and brand collaborations. The Monsters Let's Checkmate Series Pendant Blind Box $14.99 popmart What to Consider The Monsters Classic Series Sparkly Plush Pendant Blind Box $17.99 popmart What to Consider What is a Lafufu? With Labubu's rising fame comes an unfortunate side effect: counterfeits. Fake Labubus — affectionately dubbed 'Lafufus' — are flooding the market, and they're surprisingly convincing from afar. But up close? You'll start to notice the differences. Here's how to spot a fake: Teeth count: Labubu has exactly nine teeth. No more, no less. Facial details: Look closely at the eyes and blush — fakes tend to have off-color paint and sloppy finishing. Stitching: The forehead stitching on a Lafufu is usually uneven or frayed. Foot stamp: Real Labubus have the Pop Mart logo and 'O Kasing' engraved on the soles of their feet. Why trust NBC Select? I am the editorial projects manager for NBC Select and have tested hundreds of products across categories like fitness apparel, tech, luggage, skin care and more. I've been a Labubu fan for only three months but I've already managed to get my hands on three of them. I'm an avid collector of blind box products like Sonny Angels, Mofusand, Peach Riot and of course Labubu.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
How luxury fashion quietly adopted Labubu dolls: Know all about the latest style obsession
(Image Credits: Pinterest) A new fashion obsession has arrived and it's grinning at you with nine tiny teeth. Meet Labubu, the mischievous little monster that's become the latest it-girl accessory. Fashionistas are ditching traditional bag charms for these quirky creatures, turning luxury handbags into playful showcases of personality. From Paris to Seoul, Labubu is now the chicest little monster hanging off your Hermès. Who exactly is Labubu? With pointed ears, serrated teeth, and a devilishly cheeky smile, Labubu might look like a goblin straight out of folklore and that's not far off. Inspired by Nordic mythology, Labubu is a spirited elf-like girl known for her wild imagination and sense of adventure. She stars in a whimsical world alongside fellow characters Zimomo, Tycoco, Spooky, and Pato. (Image Credits: Pinterest) Created by Hong Kong-based artist Kasing Lung for a children's picture book, Labubu was originally part of a fantastical series called The Monsters. The book's success evolved into a collectible toy line and TV show that quickly gained popularity across Asia, Europe, and the U.S.- becoming a cultural icon among Gen Z and fashion-forward millennials. From cartoon to couture Labubu's rise in the fashion scene began modestly but exploded when BLACKPINK's Lisa revealed her personal collection of Labubu dolls , including plush toys and luxe bag charms. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Complete protection with iPru All-in-one Term Plan ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo In one viral snapshot, even fellow bandmate Rosé was seen holding a Labubu, triggering an international sell-out frenzy. Suddenly, this quirky character was no longer just a toy, it was a status symbol. (Image Credits: Pinterest) Enter: the blind box marketing phenomenon. Pop Mart, the company behind Labubu's mass production, capitalised on the hype by introducing surprise packaging, some boxes hiding rare, ultra-stylised versions of the character. These miniature monsters morphed into luxury fashion statements, prompting collaborations with brands like Coach and Louis Vuitton. Dressed in custom outfits and slung on designer bags, Labubu officially crossed over from toy shelf to runway. Malaika Arora's latest airport look is all about style and comfort- WATCH IT Where to buy the real deal With popularity comes counterfeits, and Labubu is no exception. Knock-offs have flooded online marketplaces, but true fans know where to shop: official Pop Mart stores, Amazon's verified listings, and select international retailers carry the authentic versions. If you want your Labubu in her full fabulous form, stick to the original sources. (Image Credits: Pinterest) Final thoughts Labubu has done more than just become a viral trend, she's redefined the handbag charm game. Now appearing on dessert menus, in streetwear collabs, and dangling from Birkins and Coaches alike, Labubu is a symbol of playful luxury. As the fashion world continues to embrace eccentric accessories, Labubu is leading the charge, one toothy grin at a time. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
