Clipping dolls to handbags, and workbags is not a new thing; there are many luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Dior that design danglings. However, it has become a hot topic today, and everybody is eyeing to buy one, it’s Labubu dolls. These aren’t like Hello Kitty cute; they actually look scary, still, they have a long list of fandom from BLACKPINK to film actors.
Celebratized Commodity
All this craze was originally started by BLACKPINK’s Lisa in early 2024. During her tour, she showcased her designer bag with Labubu charm, calling it her “Secret Obsession”. As this trend continued, other A-list celebrities like Dua Lipa, Hailey Bieber, Twinkle Khanna, and others spotted clipping these dolls. They paired with high-end luxury bags from Hermes, Birkin, Balenciaga, etc, which created communities. All Gen Z influencers are spending a lot of money to buy the exclusive Labubu collection, even clothes for it.
Originated from Asia
It’s not any by-product of luxury brands, actually, it was created by a Hong Kong artist, Kasing Lung. In 2015, as part of his launched doll collection “The Monsters”, he designed Labubu based on their local Nordic folklore. The picture is quite eerie; It has pointy ears, large expressive eyes, and a mischievous smile covered by sharp teeth like a demon.
Later in 2019, the Pop Mart took the first initiative and released them in a blind box. It means the doll box is fully covered & buyers don’t know which type of Labubu doll they get until the seal is opened. This created a dopamine-hyped reaction like winning the random lottery. And their All-collect model promotes repeated purchases.
Market Impact and Auctions
The dealer Pop Mart became a hotspot for domestic & international purchases, pumping their revenue to US$1.8 billion. Today, Labubu dolls can be resold for a price equal to or higher than their buy price, they have that much demand. In fact, classy auctions are conducted for rare editions, a 4-feet labubu got sold for US$170,000, which is shocking.
Further, customers are queuing to buy them, & blind boxes, especially limited editions, are running off the shelves. Seeing that madness, even a counterfeit company popped up called LaFufus. To acquire authentic ones, a unique QR method is created.
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Why Everyone Loves Labubu Dolls
Unboxing videos became a big selling point for budding influencers. And somehow, its creepy yet lovable face became a sensation that everyone can’t get enough of. Its high popularity on TikTok made it a bragging right. This one is not a staple commodity, it’s like visually arresting, and people irrevocably tag you as rich.
Brand Collaborations
Labubu dolls have become a luxury commodity, a symbol to boast about. Adding more fuel to the trend, top brands LV, Coca-Cola, and even One Piece are collaborating. Using its instant fame, they are upscaling merch & releasing more limited editions of Labubus. Thus, exclusive exhibitions begin. It’s exhibited more as a lifestyle rather than a mere accessory.
Consumer behavior changes with generation. Now people are interested in spending millions on bag handles. This impulsive shift only lasts a short time but is costly.
Written By: Meghana Pinninti