Why have Chinese pop culture toys become so popular abroad?

Maximalism is having a moment

Fuzzy, mischievous-looking, fang-toothed characters dangling from bags (often luxury ones), Labubus are the accessories getting everyone talking.

Mainly sold by the Chinese toy company Pop Mart, the designer-toy-turned-fashion-collectible’s popularity has risen to new heights as of late – a queue outside the Birmingham Pop Mart store became so long it made headlines, while rare Labubus are being re-sold on third-party sellers sites for more than £1,000 a pop.

Despite these new levels of fandom, the Labubu character isn’t new. It was coined in 2015 by Hong Kong-born illustrator Kasing Lung, as part of a whimsical collection of characters, The Monsters, inspired by Dutch and Nordic folklore.

Leaning into maximalism, Labubus bring a pop of personality and fun to any outfit, so, it’s easy to see the appeal. Their popularity can be traced back to Lisa from the K-pop band BlackPink, who was seen to be a fan. Having previously shared Labubus on her Instagram stories, the singer has confirmed her love of Pop Mart during a blind unboxing for Vanity Fair, and even referred to Labubu as her “baby” when interviewed for Teen Vogue.

Since then, Rhianna has been seen adorning her Louis Vuitton bag with a lychee berry Labubu, and Dua Lipa has also jumped on the trend. Now, the charms can often be seen dangling from Birkins and Miu Miu bags, lending them a fun and colourful twist (though, of course, you don’t need to have a designer bag to partake in the trend).