Labubu dolls, quirky plush toys with pointed ears and toothy grins, have taken the world by storm in 2025, driven by endorsements from celebrities like BLACKPINK’s Lisa, Rihanna, and Central Cee. Created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung and sold by Pop Mart, these collectibles, launched in 2019, exploded in popularity after Lisa’s April 2024 Instagram post. From Bangkok to London, fans queue for hours at Pop Mart stores, with TikTok’s #labubu hashtag surpassing 1.4 million posts. The dolls’ viral craze, blending fashion and nostalgia, taps into a cultural need for playful escapism amid global uncertainties.
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Celebrity Power Ignites a Global Frenzy
The Labubu phenomenon skyrocketed when Lisa, with over 106 million Instagram followers, shared a post hugging a giant Labubu and sporting a keychain version on her Louis Vuitton bag, sparking a 30% sales spike in Southeast Asia, per @LaliceUpdates. Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Kim Kardashian followed, showcasing Labubu charms on Hermès and Dior bags, per Tatler Asia. Central Cee’s purchase of an entire store’s stock in Glasgow, posted on Instagram, further fueled the hype, as reported by GQ. In India, the craze has hit cities like Mumbai.
The Allure of Blind Boxes and Collectibility
Labubu’s appeal lies in Pop Mart’s “blind box” strategy, where buyers don’t know which variant—some with a 1-in-72 chance of rare editions—they’ll get until unboxing. Retailing at $20–$30, rare versions fetch up to $7,000 on eBay and StockX, with a Vans collaboration hitting $3,000. This scarcity drives collectors, with TikTok unboxing videos racking up millions of views. The dolls’ Nordic-inspired design, rooted in Kasing Lung’s 2015 The Monsters series, blends creepy-cute aesthetics with outfits like pastel onesies, making them a hit among Gen Z and millennials seeking nostalgia.
Cultural Impact and Backlash
Labubu’s rise reflects a “kidult” trend, with adults chasing childhood joy, as one in five toys are now bought by over-18s, per Circana. In India, where collectible culture is growing, fans accessorize bags with Labubu charms, echoing global trends. However, the frenzy has sparked chaos, with fights in London stores prompting Pop Mart to pause UK sales until June 2025, citing safety concerns
A Pop-Culture Phenomenon
Labubu’s viral surge, propelled by celebrity influence and amplified by TikTok, has made it 2025’s must-have accessory, contributing $400 million to Pop Mart’s $1.8 billion 2024 revenue, per NDTV. As fans in India and beyond hunt for these elusive charms, Labubu embodies a blend of fashion, nostalgia, and exclusivity, proving that a fluffy monster can captivate a global audience.
By – Manoj