Across generations and cultures, dolls have been an intrinsic part of childhood, serving as companions, confidantes, and a means for children to express their imagination. With its ever-evolving wardrobe and inclusivity, Barbie has stood out as a cultural icon since its debut in 1959. Alongside Barbie, brands like American Girl, Bratz, and Polly Pocket also captivated the hearts of children and influenced the fashion industry.
Fast forward to 2025, not just kids, but celebrities like Ananya Panday, BLACKPINK’s Lisa, pop icon Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and others are obsessing over Labubu dolls – furry, snaggle-toothed gremlins.
Who created Labubu dolls?
Inspired by elements of Nordic folklore, Labubu was created in 2015 by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung as a part of his imaginative series The Monster. The furry, elf-like creature with wide eyes, Labubu, made it to the toy industry in 2019 through a collaboration with Chinese toy brand Pop Mart. These collectibles are available in various forms, including figurines, keychains, and plushies. The holiday editions expand with themed merchandise such as gloves, scarves, and more.
Labubu doll unboxing trend
According to Forbes, Labubu dolls typically cost around $20 to $30, and are sold in “blind boxes,” where buyers only discover which design they’ve received after unboxing, triggering a trend on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Speaking to Hypebeast, Lung, the creator of the doll, credited his time in the Netherlands as a major inspiration for Labubu. “I liked to read storybooks and was influenced by ancient European elf legends,” he said.
Reflecting on his childhood, Lung also said, “There were no game consoles or computers, so I had to draw dolls with a pen, so I had the idea of painting fairy tales since I was a child.”
Labubu dolls with celebrities
Labubu’s entry in mainstream pop culture fashion peaked last year, thanks to BLACKPINK’s Lisa. The K-pop star was spotted with a Labubu figure dangling from her handbag. In an interview, she even described the toys as “her secret obsession”.
More recently, Rihanna was spotted with a Labubu on her handbag, igniting buzz among fashion aficionados across the Internet. The trend also made its way to India, with celebrities like Ananya Panday carrying the Labubu at the airport.
Pop Mart’s strategic partnerships with luxury brands such as Coach and Louis Vuitton, along with collaborations with renowned celebrities, have turned Labubu from a simple toy into a high-demand collectible art piece.
