LABUBU TO LABU-BOOM!

From keychains dangling from bags and phones, to Stanley cups, nail art and wedding floral bouquets, everyone is obsessed with labubu.

- Abigail Banerji

These wide-eyed, serrated-tooth creatures were created by Hong Kong illustrator Kasing Lung. Sold at Pop Mart, a Chinese toy company, its founder, Wang Ning, recently became the 10th richest billionaire in China due to this doll’s success. From K-pop singers Lisa and Rose to actor Ananya Panday and even cricketer Rohit Sharma, celebs also can’t get enough of these dolls.

While Labubu has become synonymous with the entire The Monsters collection, she is actually the main character of this story. The doll is usually accompanied by Tycoco (her boyfriend), Spooky and Zimomo (the leader of The Monsters).

But what's attracting people to them? Archana Singhal, Counsellor, opines, “For many, these toys evoke nostalgia, as it might connect them to childhood memories and an emotional link can create a powerful sense of attachment. They are ideal for TikTok or Instagram content because they are cute and photogenic. For Gen Z, sharing the collection turns into a social validation process.”