Labubu: Why Is A Cute 'Monster' Doll Sending Fashionistas Into Frenzy

Labubu, an adorable collectable 'monster', has recently been so sought after that many stores in the United Kingdom had to halt its sales following reports of massive crowd surges and reported fights over the doll. The manufacturer, Chinese brand Pop Mart, wrote on Instagram, “To ensure the safety and comfort of everyone, we will temporarily pause all in-store and [self-service counters] sales of [Labubus] plush toys until further notice.” The announcement was met with fury from eager customers. After all, Labubu is the must-have accessory at the moment.

From Bollywood's Ananya Panday to BLACKPINK's Lisa, everyone is going crazy over Labubu, a 'monster' doll sold as bag charms, collectables, and more. Created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, the doll has become more than just a toy—it's a style statement, even among celebrities. According to the BBC, prices in the UK range from £13.50 to £50, with rare editions going for hundreds of pounds on resale sites like eBay.

But what makes this seemingly regular-old doll so special?

Labubu, a mischievous-looking, wide-eyed character with a big, sharp-toothed grin, is not the most welcoming face in the doll world. Yet, its quirky charm has captured hearts across the globe, turning it from an oddball collectable into a cultural phenomenon. Pop Mart describes Labubu as “kind-hearted and always wants to help, but often accidentally achieves the opposite."

Labubu 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. Typically, the dolls come in a 'blind box' format, which means customers don’t know which version they will get until they open the box. This surprise element makes collecting them fun and exciting.

The most trendy Labubu of late is the bag charm, which has become a staple accessory to elevate a simple outfit into a fun, fashion-forward look. Most celebrities can be seen decorating their high-end branded bags with Labubu to give them a quirky and slightly less formal twist. It’s part of the broader Birkinification trend, inspired by the late actress and model Jane Birkin, who adorned her customised Hermes handbag with whimsical trinkets and personal touches to reflect individuality.

Google Trends shows searches for “Labubu doll" and “Labubu keychain" have reached over 2.1 million in the past month alone. According to Bloomberg, manufacturer Pop Mart made $1.8 billion in 2024, which is twice as much as the year before. Labubu and the “The Monsters" series alone made about $400 million, which is a huge surge of 726% in a single year.

#LISA with her big Labubu’s in her every 🫧 live. She bought another friend for her brown one from the previous lemonade live 😂 pic.twitter.com/b6HYHhduuG

— TEAM LISA PH (@TeamLisaPH) November 26, 2024

Following its massive popularity, several resale frauds and fakes have also been reported. Recently, a Thai politician issued a warning while arriving at Government House about fraudulent sales of the expensive designer dolls, according to the Bangkok Post. Prime Minister’s Office Minister Puangpet Chunlaiad is also reportedly an owner of some Labubu dolls, as seen in some media photographs.

Other popular collectables going viral 

Similar to Labubu, another toy going viral is Smiski, an unassuming, tiny glow-in-the-dark figure taking TikTok by storm. Available in India for thousands of rupees, it is a collector’s favourite for its oddly comforting presence and minimalist charm. Whether peeking out from bookshelves or perched on work desks, Smiski figures have found a niche as the internet's new companion.