Latest news with #plushie
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What's Really Behind the Cult of Labubu
The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here. A furry fiend with rabbit ears and a maniacal grin has recently been spotted twerking next to the singer Lizzo, baring its teeth on the former soccer star David Beckham's Instagram, and flopping against a woman's Chanel bag while wearing its own Tic Tac–size Chanel bag. The creature in question is Labubu—a soft-bellied plushie that the Chinese company Pop Mart began distributing in 2019, and that has, in the past year, gained hordes of admirers. In 2024, Pop Mart reported a more than 700 percent increase in the stuffie's sales. People have been doling out anywhere from about $30 to $150,000 a toy. At Brooklyn raves, adults hop around under neon lights with Labubus clipped to their belt loops. The devotion, at times, has turned almost ferocious; Pop Mart decided to suspend in-person sales of Labubu in the United Kingdom after reports of chaos at stores. Commentators have offered all sorts of theories as to why Labubu has become a sensation. One factor might be scarcity: Each new Labubu release on Pop Mart's online store tends to sell out in minutes. Another might be surprise: The plushie arrives in a blind box. (It could be pink or gray; wear overalls or hold a Coke.) Some people have suggested that the Labubu hype is a product of a trickle-down celebrity effect, or that the toy has become a gay icon. But the way I see it, the cult of Labubu is simply an extension of the phenomenon known as 'kidulthood,' in which the boundary between childhood and adulthood keeps growing fuzzier and fuzzier. In the past few years, more American adults have been buying stuffed animals—some, researchers have told me, in an effort to reject staid versions of adulthood and inject more play into grown-up life. These adults have usually kept their plushies at home, relegating them to bookshelves and beds. Labubus, though, are 'public displays of cuteness,' Erica Kanesaka, an Emory University professor and cute-studies scholar, told me in an email. Devotees carry Labubu into subway cars, office cubicles, and dental schools. They clock into shifts at KFC with the toy literally attached to their hip, and take it along for their workdays as football players or airline pilots. [Read: Welcome to kidulthood] Adults in other countries—Japan, perhaps most notably—have long worn objects featuring cute characters, such as Hello Kitty, out and about, hooked to bags and key chains. In the 1990s, it wasn't uncommon to see white-collar Japanese salarymen with Hello Kitty accessories dangling from their phones. The trend, Simon May, a philosopher and the author of The Power of Cute, told me, might have been born of a postwar rejection of overt aggression: After World War II, cute aesthetics were one way that Japan revamped its public-facing image. The country, May said, changed its self-presentation '180 degrees from militarism to pacifism.' But in the United States, loving cute objects has historically been written off as escapism at best and a worrying swing toward infancy at worst. Adults who embraced childlike things were 'seen to be irresponsibly regressive, morally immature, and refusing to play their full part in society,' May said in an email after we spoke. As recently as 2020, in an article about plushies, one writer self-consciously described her stuffed hound as her 'deep dark secret.' Yet, as I've previously reported, this defensiveness about loving cute objects has been gradually dissipating, part of a century-long evolution in which childhood has come to be seen as a protected life stage. Nowadays, May said, 'to be childlike also has an increasingly positive connotation in terms of openness to ideas and freedom from dogmatism.' At the same time, attitudes about what it means to be an adult are shifting. Many have assumed that children are supposed to 'grow out of vulnerability' when they become adults, Sandra Chang-Kredl, a professor at Concordia University, in Montreal, who has studied adults' attachments to stuffed animals, told me. But more and more, people are pushing back on that idea. Years ago, 'it would have been hard to admit that, let's say, Oh, I have anxiety,' Chang-Kredl said. 'Today, there's no shame involved in it.' Pop Mart has capitalized on this transformation, marketing Labubus—and its other collectibles—specifically to young adults. The company's social-media posts seem to be aimed at Monday-hating, coffee-drinking workers who might log in to Zoom meetings from disastrously messy rooms or prefer to be outside, playing with buddies (or toys), rather than reporting to an office. Evidence suggests that this approach has been successful; one analysis of Pop Mart's web traffic found that 39 percent of visitors to the online store in April ranged in age from 25 to 34. Shame dies hard, though, which might be another reason Labubu has gained traction. Within the realm of cute things, a demonic-looking stuffie is more 'ugly-cute'—adorable, monstrous, deliberately weird. (Ugly-cuteness is also by no means a new phenomenon; think of the pygmy-hippo sensation Moo Deng, toys such as UglyDolls and Cabbage Patch Kids, or the eternal appeal of the pug.) People 'feel that they themselves are a little bit edgy,' Joshua Dale, a cute-studies professor at Chuo University, in Tokyo, told me, 'for liking something that some people don't like.' [Read: The 'Espresso' theory of gender relations] As with any popular trend, Labubu does have its haters—or at least some tongue-in-cheek provocateurs. People have suggested (semi-jokingly) that the toy is possessed, possibly by a demon called Pazuzu. The singer Katy Perry, at a recent concert in Australia, used her mic to smack a Labubu out of a fan's hand. 'No Labubus!' she commanded sternly. Still, Labubu's creepy-cute duality does feel very of this moment, in line with a certain strain of the culture that seeks to undercut anything that feels too buttoned-up. Consider the popularity of 'brat'—an irony-tinged aesthetic that embraces the messy and ugly-cute over the prepped and polished. Last year, my colleague Spencer Kornhaber described the 'brat' mood as 'a little immature, a little selfish, a little nasty.' He also noted that the singer Charli XCX, whose songs affirm that the party-girl life has no age limit, and pop artists such as Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan seem to be making music offering 'the assurance that growing up, in the conventional sense, is just optional.' Wearing Labubu, especially on a designer purse or a backpack meant for grown-ups, is a choice that speaks in a similar register. It signals a 'playful attitude to life,' May told me, 'a winking at the world.' Monday will come around again, with its dreaded wake-up alarms and emails. But according to the logic of kidulthood, you might feel a tiny bit better if you bring a devilish tchotchke to that 9 a.m. meeting. Article originally published at The Atlantic Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lady Gaga Declares That She Is a ‘Labubu' in Silly Pre-Mayhem Ball Show Video
Ra-ra-ah-ah-ah, roma-roma-ma, Gaga, ooh Labubu … Lady Gaga is getting in on a certain plushie craze. In a whimsical TikTok posted Friday (July 25), the pop superstar filmed herself seemingly getting ready backstage for a concert, all dressed up in one of her Mayhem Ball tour outfits. With her hair teased into the shape of two bunny ears — similar to those sported by the fuzzy little monster keychains you keep seeing attached to everyone's bags and purses — Gaga says in a silly, high-pitched voice, 'I'm a Labubu!' More from Billboard Forget Labubus: EXO's Chanyeol Just Shared an All-New Pop Mart Plushie Worth Splurging On Pantera Cancel Tour Dates to Mourn Ozzy Osbourne Ed Sheeran Expands 2026 Australia and New Zealand Tour 'Labubu!' she repeats before sticking her tongue out slightly at the camera. For those not yet in on the trend, Labubus are collectible dolls sold by Chinese brand Pop Mart. With sharp teeth and goblin-like faces peeking out of their variously colored fur suits, the toys are basically just portable little monsters — an especially fitting product for Gaga, considering the name of her fanbase. Mother Monster's funny video comes shortly after she finished the second of three Mayhem shows at San Francisco's Chase Center, at which she'll play one more concert on July 26. The Grammy winner's trek kicked off earlier in July with three performances in Las Vegas, and Gaga will continue touring through North America, Europe and Australia throughout the rest of 2025. The trek comes in support of Gaga's Mayhem album, which dropped this past May. Debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, the project found the A Star Is Born actress returning to her dark dance-pop roots. 'Part of my personal mayhem is that it's fun, and that's why I keep doing it,' she told Billboard of the LP in a March interview. 'That's what makes it complicated — it is dark, and it pulls me away from myself, but it's also the best time. It's that point where you're at the party, and you're totally numbing out, and you've fully accepted that by the morning you are not going to feel well, but you're fully in it.' Watch Gaga's TikTok below. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart Solve the daily Crossword
CNA
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - AI in pre-school classrooms: good or bad?
CNA938 Rewind - Gotta collect 'em all - Play Nation's Kopi Shop plushies In 'Destination Anywhere', Melanie Oliveiro finds out where Singaporeans can go to witness a lovable plushie tribute to Singapore's kopitiam culture. Kai Jun Wong, founder of local game-play and entertainment brand Play Nation will talk about Play Nation Kopi Shop. It's an experiential retail pop-up offering limited edition plushie collectibles inspired by local breakfast favourites like kaya butter toast, kopi and soft-boiled eggs. Wong will talk about how the kopitiam allows visitors to sit on traditional square tables and brightly coloured stools, and hang out at the serving counter where their orders are prepared - from the 'pouring' of kopi to the 'making' of kaya butter toast.
Daily Mail
11-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Royal children's favourite Jellycat sparks fury by culling 100 loyal independent retailers as part of 'brand elevation strategy'
It is the viral British plushie brand which has won the hearts of the royal family 's youngest generation - as well as proving a magnet for thieves. Prince William has described Jellycat's sought-after soft toys are his children's 'currency', while rare designs can sell for thousands of pounds online. But the London-based brand's decision to ban around 100 independent retailers from stocking the toys threatens to damage its cuddly reputation, according to marketing experts. Among stockists who have been told Jellycat will no longer supply them is children's clothing shop Puddleducks. It has been trading for 34 years in the village of Diggle near Oldham, selling a Jellycat range for almost two decades. Owner Alison McCabe regularly places orders with the firm worth thousands of pounds, with the brand representing nearly one-third of its sales. So she was shocked to receive an email from Jellycat containing details of what it described as 'the next stage in our brand elevation strategy'. To provide a 'great experience' for 'every customer' the firm's email said it would now be working with 'over 1,200 independent retailers across the UK'. Devastatingly it went on: 'Sadly, we're not able to extend this support to everyone.' The firm said it understood the decision to end its relationship with Puddleducks would be 'disappointing news' but that it was 'final and not open to negotiation.' 'I couldn't believe what I was reading,' Ms McCabe told the Daily Mail. 'We've stocked Jellycat for 19 years, before all the hype started - I just thought they were really nice products. 'So it really hurts to be told we're not good enough for them any more. 'There's been no communication at all. 'If Jellycat wanted us to display the toys in a different way we could have had a conversation. 'Instead it's just "thank you and goodbye" - it's ridiculous. 'It's small retailers like this which have got Jellycat where they are now.' In total Jellycat has pulled the plug on around one in 12 stockists. They also include Bo Peep Boutique in Lincoln, which said on social media it was given 'no ifs or buts, no guidance, no reasons'. Meanwhile Rumours gift shop in Whitby, North Yorkshire announced the 'sad news' on Facebook. 'This is obviously extremely disappointing, having supported the company for over two decades, since they first started up,' it wrote. 'It's a sad day that we can no longer be referred to as "The Jellycat Shop".' As the resulting backlash spread through social media – where Jellycat has a strong presence – the firm responded to a string of negative ratings on Trustpilot by suspending reviews on the site. Professor Anthony Patterson, from Lancaster University Management School's department of marketing, said Jellycat's decision to slash its stockists was 'a clever way to maintain exclusivity' - but risked leading to 'customer frustration'. 'The real casualties here are the independent retailers who've faithfully stocked Jellycat for years, building customer relationships around the brand, only to find themselves suddenly cut loose in favour of "selective partnerships",' he added. 'For smaller toy shops that relied heavily on Jellycat sales, losing such a significant revenue stream could be the difference between staying open and closing their doors permanently.' Influencer marketing consultant Scott Guthrie said Jellycat would enjoy higher profit margins by directing more customers online - but risked damaging its brand. 'Jellycat toy sales have surged in part thanks to the sense of community it has fostered, including Gen Z posting TikToks of their collections and love for the brand,' he said. 'The break with stockists - many who have long supported the brand - may negatively impact this sense of community, with a potential knock-on effect of denting Jellycat's brand equity.' Jellycat insists it is a 'big supporter' of small businesses and stresses that 1,200 independent stores will continue stocking its toys. Initially it said they had been 'carefully' selected for the 'amazing in-store experience that they lovingly create', while saying it wished the shops on which it had pulled the plug 'all the best for the future'. However as the furore escalated, it yesterday shifted its position on the cull, saying: 'We are very sorry about this and the hurt it has caused for those retailers and their customers.' But it insisted cutting around 100 stockists would help it 'give better service' to those that survived the cutback, and therefore help customers. 'We are also increasing supply as fast as we can without compromising our high quality and production standards,' it added in a statement.
News.com.au
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Bizarre twist to Labubu craze sweeping Australia
The latest craze sweeping the country has taken a step towards the bizarre, with Aussies now paying to get their Labubus professionally tattooed. The Labubu, a furry plushie featuring a bizarre grin and sharp teeth, has taken Australia and the world by storm. Designed by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, the product is sold by Chinese toy company Pop Mart following a collaboration with Lung on his story series book The Monsters, released in 2015. While the Labubu hit the market in Asia in 2019, the slightly scary-looking plushie only took off after Blackpink's Lisa, a popular K-pop singer, was spotted with a $32 keychain version of the doll attached to her handbag in April 2024. And in just 12 months, the whole world has become hooked. Massive queues have been spotted outside stores as customers clamber to get their hands of the gremlin-looking item. Customers have also been buying tiny outfits for the toys. And now, collectors have taken the trend further by personalising the toys, with some paying for professional tattoo artists to add facial designs. On Tuesday night a Sydney tattoo artist was working on two Labubu toys, adding intricate designs to the face of the monster, each tattoo costing $25. And she is not alone. A tattoo studio in Parramatta has put a call out to customers wishing to personalise their toys. 'Your collection is not complete without a Labubu tattoo. Calling all Labubu lovers! 'Get your Labubu tattooed today,' the post read. What is a Labubu? The small, bunny-like toys with a doll's face are sold via 'blind boxes', meaning customers don't know which style they've secured. The demand has led to huge lines forming outside stores before they even open.
