Latest news with #designerToys
The Independent
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Labubus are taking over the internet – here's where to buy (or even rent) them
Fuzzy, mischievous-looking, fang-toothed characters dangling from luxury bags, Labubus are getting everyone talking. Mainly sold by the Chinese toy company Pop Mart, the designer toy-turned-fashion collectables are incredibly popular. A queue outside the Birmingham Pop Mart store was so long that it made headlines, and rare Labubus are selling for more than £1,000 each. Labubu toys are even available to rent for upwards of £4 a day on platforms like By Rotation (alongside luxury accessories from the likes of Chanel and Hermès). Despite recent fandom, the Labubu character isn't new. It was designed in 2015 by Hong Kong-born illustrator Kasing Lung, as part of his collection of characters, The Monsters, inspired by Dutch and Nordic folklore. Leaning into maximalism, Labubus bring a pop of personality and fun to any outfit, so it's easy to see the appeal. Their popularity can be traced back to Lisa from the K-pop band BlackPink. Having shared Labubus on her Instagram stories, the singer confirmed her love of Pop Mart during a blind unboxing for Vanity Fair, and even referred to Labubu as her 'baby' when interviewed for Teen Vogue. Since then, Rihanna has been seen adorning her Louis Vuitton bag with a lychee berry Labubu, and Dua Lipa has also jumped on the trend. Now, the charms can often be seen dangling from Birkins and Mui Mui bags, lending them a fun and colourful twist, though, of course, you don't need a designer bag to enjoy the trend. Labubu dolls are often sold in 'blind boxes'. These contain a toy chosen at random from the series, so you won't know which one you've bought until you open the box. As well as regular designs, there are also so-called 'secret edition' Labubus, which are especially rare and sought-after by collectors. The latest is the Big Into Energy series (£17.50, which dropped this spring. To give you an idea of scale, the toys are around 6in in size (about the same size as an iPhone 16). With a surge of interest in bag charms – such as Coach hanging cuddly toys from its bags at its New York Fashion Week show – the hashtag Labubu has appeared more than one million times on the toys sell out fast, but if you're determined to find one for yourself, keep reading for everything you need to know. Where to buy Labubus in the UK Labubu figures are available on the Pop Mart platform or in Pop Mart shops. One of the newest additions to the range is Labubu x Pronounce wings of fortune figure, characterised by its dark purple fur and golden outfit (£31.50, It's not just hanging charms; the brand also makes pendants (£25.50, figures (£31.50, bags (£28.90, and more, though, at the time of writing, they're all sold out (you can sign up to be notified when they're restocked). You might find you have more luck buying the toys at other retailers, such as StockX, Depop, eBay and the Pop Mart store on Amazon. However, you need to be wary when shopping elsewhere, as counterfeit versions (jokingly referred to as 'Lafufus') are common on third-party sites. It pays to research the differences between the fakes and the real thing. For instance, collectors suggest looking for signs such as the brightness of the packaging, whether the dolls have a Pop Mart stamp on their foot, the number of teeth the dolls should have (nine), and the presence of a QR code on the back of the packaging, which should take you to the official Pop Mart website. There are also several Pop Mart shops in the UK, so if you'd rather buy a Labubu in person, you can head to the locations in Manchester, Birmingham, London, and Cambridge. Labubus are also available from Pop Mart's vending machines, known as Robo Shops, which can be found in London and Reading. With the fashion rental market booming, it's perhaps no surprise that you can now rent Labubu dolls for £3 a day. The trend may not last, so renting a doll for a specific outfit might be more cost-effective than buying your own Labubu – you might not be as keen to hang a doll off your bag once summer is over. Leading rental platform By Rotation has a variety of dolls to rent, starting at £3 a day ( Hurr has been slower to jump on the trend; at the time of writing, the platform only has one doll to rent (from £22,
Harpers Bazaar Arabia
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Harpers Bazaar Arabia
Labubu Have Officially Taken Over The UAE – Here's Where To Find Yours
Labubus are the latest craze sweeping through the UAE. From fashionistas to foodies, everyone's embracing these cute and quirky figures—spot them hanging off handbags, decorating desks, or popping out of burgers at a new dine-and-collect experience The internet is no stranger to quirky trends, but the latest sensation sweeping social media is one that blends art, fashion, and a dash of mischief… introducing Labubu. This cheeky little character has rapidly evolved from an underground collectable into a global phenomenon, but has notably charmed its way into the hearts of influencers, collectors, and style aficionados across the UAE. Whether spotted dangling from Birkins or proudly arranged in curated display cases, Labubu figurines have become the latest status symbol for those in the know. With their distinctive grins, jagged teeth, and pointy ears, these elf-like creatures manage to be both endearing and a touch off-kilter, a combination that has proven irresistible to fans around the world. View this post on Instagram A post shared by labubu (@ Labubu was created by acclaimed Hong Kong-based artist Kasing Lung, who introduced the character as part of his 'The Monsters' series. Produced by popular designer toy company Pop Mart, these figures are typically sold in blind boxes, a marketing twist that adds an element of surprise and delight to each purchase. First launched in 2019, Labubu has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity in recent years, thanks in part to the viral appeal of unboxing videos and a passionate community of collectors who trade, showcase, and even cosplay their favourite variants online. Each figurine boasts its own unique theme and design, from pirates and fairies to astronauts and forest creatures, making them not just toys but tiny works of art. The blind box format means you never quite know which version you'll receive, turning every purchase into a lucky dip… and feeding the addictive thrill for some. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mad Kicks ME (@madkicksme) In the UAE, the Labubu craze has taken root in a big way. Social media influencers across Dubai and Abu Dhabi have embraced the whimsical trend, styling them as keychains, desk accessories, or even statement pieces in flat-lays. Look around – Labubus are popping up everywhere, from reels to real life. For collectors based in the Emirates, there are several ways to get your hands on these delightful creatures. The Little Things, a specialty store with branches in Dubai Mall, Bluewaters Island, and Mall of the Emirates, is the official Pop Mart retailer in the UAE. Labubu figures here start at an accessible Dhs79, and the store frequently receives new stock, including seasonal and limited-edition releases. For those looking for rare or premium editions, Mad Kicks in Boxpark, Dubai offers select Labubu figures priced at Dhs300 each. For a full collector's experience, they also sell bundles of six blind boxes at Dhs1,250, a tempting deal for serious enthusiasts hoping to complete a set or discover a secret variant. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Abu Dhabi (@timeoutabudhabi) In a delightful fusion of food and collectables, Beau, a trendy eatery with locations in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, has launched a dining experience tailored to Labubu fans. Guests who order the Petit Meal, which includes a gourmet burger, fries, a drink, and a surprise Labubu collectible, can enjoy the best of both worlds: fine food and the excitement of unboxing. Priced at Dhs290, it's a treat that offers more than just a meal, it's a moment of joy. And if you prefer to dine in the comfort of your own home, the Labubu Petit Meal is also available via Deliveroo from Dhs280, making it easier than ever to indulge in a tasty meal and grow your collection in one go.
The Independent
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Labubus are taking over the internet – here's where to buy them
Fuzzy, mischievous-looking, fang-toothed characters dangling from bags (often luxury ones), Labubus are the accessories getting everyone talking. Mainly sold by the Chinese toy company Pop Mart, the designer-toy-turned-fashion-collectible's popularity has risen to new heights as of late – a queue outside the Birmingham Pop Mart store became so long it made headlines, while rare Labubus are being re-sold on third-party sellers sites for more than £1,000 a pop. Despite these new levels of fandom, the Labubu character isn't new. It was coined in 2015 by Hong Kong-born illustrator Kasing Lung, as part of a whimsical collection of characters, The Monsters, inspired by Dutch and Nordic folklore. Leaning into maximalism, Labubus bring a pop of personality and fun to any outfit, so, it's easy to see the appeal. Their popularity can be traced back to Lisa from the K-pop band BlackPink, who was seen to be a fan. Having previously shared Labubus on her Instagram stories, the singer has confirmed her love of Pop Mart during a blind unboxing for Vanity Fair, and even referred to Labubu as her 'baby' when interviewed for Teen Vogue. Since then, Rhianna has been seen adorning her Louis Vuitton bag with a lychee berry Labubu, and Dua Lipa has also jumped on the trend. Now, the charms can often be seen dangling from Birkins and Mui Mui bags, lending them a fun and colourful twist (though, of course, you don't need to have a designer bag to partake in the trend). Labubu dolls are now typically sold in 'blind boxes', which contain a toy chosen at random from the series, so you won't know which one you've got until you open the box. In addition to regular designs, there are also so-called 'secret edition' Labubus, which are especially rare and sought-after, and bring an element of surprise for collectors, which, naturally, adds fuel to the Labubu fire. The latest is the Big Into Energy series (£17.50, which dropped this spring. To give you an idea of scale, the toys are around 6in in size (about the same size as an iPhone 16). With a surge of interest in bag charms – such as Coach hanging cuddly toys from its bags at its New York Fashion Week show – the hashtag Labubu has appeared more than one million times on TikTok. It's unsurprising the toys sell out at lightning speed but if you're determined to find one for yourself, keep reading for everything you need to know. Where to buy Labubus in the UK Pop Mart, which has an online shop as well as hundreds of brick-and-mortar stores globally, is the main seller of the toy, so Labubu figures can be bought from the Pop Mart platform. One of the newest additions to the range is Labubu x Pronounce wings of fortune figure, characterised by its dark purple fur and golden outfit (£31.50, And it's not just hanging charms, as the brand also makes pendants, figures (£31.50, bags (£28.90, and more, though, at the time of writing, they're all sold out (you can sign up to be notified when they're restocked). You might find you have more luck getting hold of the toys at other retailers, such as StockX, Depop, eBay and the Pop Mart store on Amazon. However, you do need to be wary when shopping elsewhere, as counterfeit versions (now often being referred to as 'Lafufus') can be lurking on resellers' sites, so, it pays to research the differences between the fakes and the real thing. For instance, collectors suggest looking for signs such as the brightness of the packaging, whether the dolls have a Pop Mart stamp on their foot, the number of teeth the dolls should have (nine), and the presence of a QR code on the back of the packaging, which should take you to the official PopMart website. There are also several shops in the UK, so, if you'd rather buy your Labubu in person, you can head to locations including the Westfield London shopping centre, Hamleys on Regents Street, Oxford Street and others. Adding to the fun, they can also be bought from Pop Mart's vending machines, known as Robo Shops.
