By now, we’ve seen it all when it comes to fashion trends. Boxer shorts worn solo as everyday outfits, split-toe shoes that look suspiciously like horse hooves, you name it. The hope is always that, like most trends, these obsessions will eventually fade.
The frenzy around Labubu dolls, however, only seems to be growing. Honestly, I can’t help but think it’s less about the figures themselves and more about our collective need to believe in something, anything, during what is, let’s face it, a pretty rough time.
The Pop Mart plush doll, described as “a devilish but cute monster with pointed ears, a charmingly mischievous smile, and very sharp teeth,” has existed since 2019, but rose to fame in 2024 after celebrities like BLACKPINK’s Lisa, Rihanna and Kim Kardashian were spotted sporting them as luxury handbag accessories.
Now, the dolls — which typically retail for $20 to $30 on Pop Mart, depending on the version — spark hour-long lines outside stores, sell out instantly online and resell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars. They have even inspired a booming market for doll-sized clothing and knockoff versions known as “Lafufus.” Yes, you read that right.
Edward Berthelot/Getty
Close-up detail view of a blue turquoise fluffy Labubu monster charm doll, next to a yellow Labubu doll, on May 23, 2025 in Paris, France.
The old parental metaphor, “If your friends jumped off a cliff, would you?” might need to be updated: “If your friends spent a small fortune on scary-looking plushies to clip onto their purses and belt loops, would you?” The answer, it seems, is a resounding yes.
While the question of whether or not these dolls are cute is up for debate — I think I have made my opinion clear — Labubu dolls seem to serve as a metaphor for something bigger.
Often sold in “blind boxes,” where buyers don’t know which version they’re getting, Labubus have sparked a sense of community, reintroducing a bit of childlike joy and surprise that the world is sorely lacking right now.
VCG/VCG via Getty
Labubu figures and dolls are seen on display at a Pop Mart store on June 9, 2025 in Shanghai, China.
As influencers and everyday people alike share their unboxings on social media, fellow Labubu fans watch with genuine excitement, rooting for others to score their favorite color or edition. It’s a universal concept: no matter how big or small, how relevant or overlooked you feel, anyone can have a Labubu and feel like they belong.
Will you ever catch me buying into the obsession? No, definitely not. But I can appreciate what it has done for others. The world could use more joy, and while I never expected it to come in the form of plush-like monsters with sharp teeth, I’m not going to stand in the way of it.
In a time where connection feels scarce and delight even rarer, if a doll can spark a little happiness, who am I to judge?
Read the original article on People
