The Labubu Doll: What Is It and Why Is the Internet So Obsessed?
You’ve probably seen a variation of the Labubu doll, a grinning Gremlin-like plush collectable toy hanging from the bags of your favorite influencers. Whether you think they’re cute or little creepy, is beside the point, because the Labubu has become a viral sensation, and it’s just a matter of time before you also fall under the spell. Dua Lipa and Rihanna certainly have.
Plush charms as fashion accessories have been taking over, as we’ve seen brands like Coach in New York City to Simone Rocha in London to Bottega Veneta in Milan showcasing the trend on the runways. Seen all over Copenhagen Fashion Week last summer, the bag charm has become the way for the style set to “Jane Birkin-ify” or personalize their handbags, and the trend has shown no signs of slowing. In fact, it seems to be surging with the inclusion of a particular furry friend: the Labubu.
First designed a decade ago by Hong Kong–born artist Kasing Lung and distributed by Chinese toy company Pop Mart as collectable toys, the elf-inspired creatures soon found fame as fans lined up to get their hands on one. But here’s the catch—their popular blind-box format means you never know what you can get.