Kim Kardashian’s Labubu dolls collection. Credit: Instagram @kimkardashian
They’ve got pointy teeth, wide eyes, and are supposedly cute and very covetable. Labubu dolls are everywhere. Created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, Labubus have exploded into a global designer toy craze.
Once tucked inside ‘Blind Boxes’ for just €6, they’re now selling out worldwide, and one life-sized Labubu even fetched over €140,000 at auction.
What are Labubu dolls and why are people going crazy for them?
Labubu is part of The Monsters, a 2015 illustrated book series by Kasing Lung inspired by Nordic folklore. In 2019, the mischievous elf-like character was brought to life through a deal with Chinese toy giant Pop Mart, known for its collectible Blind Box figurines, where buyers don’t know which version they’ll get.
Prices start at ¥50 (€6), but rarer models can now command hundreds or even thousands of euros thanks to scarcity and fan demand.
One Reddit user, quoted in The Tab, said, “Someone broke their car windows and stole their Labubu. Nothing else, just the Labubu.”
Labubu dolls: Celebrity hype
Labubu’s viral fame was supercharged after K-pop superstar Lisa from Blackpink was spotted with one hanging from her luxury handbag. Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, and David Beckham are also Labubu fans.
The appeal? For some, it’s pure nostalgia. One collector told The Tab: “They are cute and make me feel happy. Being an adult is boring.” Others love the surprise: “The blind box gets me. It’s almost like opening a packet of Kinder Joy expecting a surprise gift.”
There’s also a cultural element. In China, attaching plushies to bags or clothes is a common fashion statement.
Life-sized Labubu sold for €140k at auction
This June, 2025, a mint green, 131cm Labubu was sold at Beijing’s Yongle International Auction for 1.08 million yuan (€140,000). It was the only one of its kind. In total, 48 Labubu-themed pieces brought in ¥3.73 million (€475,000) at the event, as reported by Reuters.
Labubu backlash
Labubu’s success has sparked backlash. Chinese regulators recently banned banks from using the dolls as promotional gifts after Ping An Bank offered one to customers depositing ¥50,000 (€6,400), according to The Guardian.
Authorities warned the gimmick could fuel unsustainable spending habits and hurt bank profits. Critics have also accused Pop Mart of encouraging gambling addiction since buyers often purchase dozens of Blind Boxes to complete a set.
The hype has led to black market resales and doll smuggling. Ara.cat reports Chinese customs now limit how many dolls travellers can leave the country with.
Pop Mart is now listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, with overseas sales up 375 per cent and making up 40 per cent of its €1.6 billion revenue. Physical stores and vending machines have popped up in Tokyo, Dubai, London, and Paris. Fans queue for hours just to get their hands on one.
Do you or someone you know enjoy collecting Labubu dolls? Let us know in the comments below.
View all quirky news.
