Image by N509FZ from WikiMedia Commons
If you have been on TikTok recently, you have probably seen people obsessing over Labubu bag charms.
From hauls and unboxing videos to creators searching from store to store to find these creepy yet adorable dolls, people are desperate to get their hands on this latest fashion accessory.
But for those of you that aren’t running to your nearest Pop Mart store, here’s why these viral bag charms have caused such a frenzy.
Labubu was first created by the Hong Kong designer, Kasing Lung, as a character in a story series called “The Monsters”.
This trilogy was inspired by Nordic mythology and follows the female lead Labubu along with her friends Zimomo, Tycoco, Pippo, Yaya and many more.
However, it wasn’t until 2019 when designer, Kasing Lung, signed an agreement with Pop Mart to bring the fictional creatures to life in the form of minifigures.
From their devious smiles to their pointy ears, the internet soon fell in love with the little elf-like collectables. These might just be the latest Jelly cats.
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Since, over 300 variations of the dolls with different facial expressions and colours have been created, with some people trying to collect them all.
With secret editions to also be found, opening the blind packages to reveal what Labubu you have has sparked excitement online.
Many creators film unboxing videos that captures their unfiltered reactions to the tiny elf-like creatures.
Popularised by TikTok, Pop Mart has more recently released plush pendants, which are now commonly being worn as bag charms. Labubus are without a doubt the newest accessory to everyone’s outfit.
Celebrities have even hopped on the trend with one member of the K-pop band BlackPink being spotted with a Labubu attached to her handbag.
From Dua Lipa and Rihanna to the influencers on your TikTok ‘For You’ page, all of the fashion girlies are dangling them from bags or hooking them onto belt loops.
With many people desperate to get their hands on one, Labubus seem to be out of stock everywhere. Desperate shoppers have even camped overnight outside of retailers to have the best chance at snatching one up.
Since, Pop Mart have announced that they are halting the sale of the fuzzy keychains in all 16 of their UK stores due to customers fighting over them: “We’re currently working on a new approach for the distribution that will allow everyone a fairer chance to purchase.”
With Labubus rising in demand, the prices of these collectables have also shot up online. Some of the rarer ones are currently reselling for over a hundred pounds.
A spokesperson for Pop Mart has told The Guardian: “This isn’t just about ‘toys but a collectable, pop-culture movement.”
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