Whether I’m walking through SoHo on a summer Friday or aimlessly scrolling on TikTok, there’s one accessory I’ve seen nonstop that’s quite alarming: the Labubu. Not to be confused with bag charms, the Chinese toy has recently become a hot commodity in the accessory world, sported on handbags everywhere — from everyday wristlets to the coveted Hermès Birkin. Being that we do live in an ever-controversial trend cycle, should we really be surprised that such a creepy design has become this desired? Technically no, but still, our eyebrows are definitely raised.
What Are Labubus?
Similar to trends like diaper shorts and the jelly shoe resurgence, Labubus aren’t exactly new. Labubu was created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung in 2015, for the Monster series, which was inspired by Nordic folklore. It wasn’t long before Lung’s creation became available on Pop Mart, a Beijing-based company widely known for selling collectible designer toys. And the toy garnered global attention amongst accessory lovers when Blackpink’s Lisa declared her unusual love for Labubus. In an interview with Vanity Fair, the singer revealed she discovered them while visiting a Pop Mart in Thailand with a friend, eventually birthing her vast collection of Labubus. And of course, the popular design has been seen on the arms of the biggest style stars, from Dua Lipa to Rihanna — giving us all the influence we need to try the trend.
While Labubus are completely sold out on the brand’s site, we ransacked the internet for the few pieces that are still available. Ahead, shop the best (and weirdest) Labubus to help you feed into the viral craze this season.
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