Labubu Is Fashion’s Freaky Little “It” Accessory, And Everyone Wants One
In an age of maximalism and nostalgia, it makes sense that the next big fashion accessory isn’t a designer bag or a new sneaker drop. It’s a bug-eyed, fang-toothed plush creature named Labubu.
Created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung and popularized by toy giant Pop Mart, Labubu began as part of a storybook series called The Monsters. But the mischievous creature has since made the leap from collectible figure to full-blown fashion statement. It’s now hanging off handbags, clipped to belt loops and even featured in luxury resale markets. And yes, people are styling it like it’s Chanel.
From Blind Boxes To Runway Bags
Labubu rose to global prominence through Pop Mart’s blind box model, a Gen Z-friendly format that leans into surprise, limited drops and scarcity culture. The brand’s 2023 launch of plush Labubu charms marked the beginning of its fashion takeover. Soon after, celebrities like Blackpink’s Lisa and influencers in Seoul, Tokyo and Paris were pairing their mini Labubus with quilted crossbodies and vintage denim jackets.
In the era of personality-driven fashion, Labubu hits a sweet spot. It’s playful and a bit strange — a direct contrast to the polished, quiet-luxury look that dominated early 2020s style.
A New Wave Of Bag Charms
Keychain culture has cycled through the years — think Fendi’s fur monsters or the rhinestone Juicy Couture charms of the Y2K era. But Labubu represents a distinctly 2025 update: part childhood nostalgia, part subversive style move. Its exaggerated grin and offbeat look play into a larger trend where the line between “cute” and “creepy” is blurred — and that’s exactly why fashion insiders love it.
You’re not just accessorizing your outfit with Labubu; you’re curating a vibe. On social platforms, creators are styling their Labubus with everything from baggy cargos and baby tees to vintage Miu Miu and Prada. It’s a bridge between streetwear and high fashion, between kidcore and couture.
And resale demand proves it. While retail price hovers around $27, rare plush charms resell for hundreds, and sometimes thousands, on StockX and niche collectibles markets. It’s no longer just a toy; it’s a status symbol.
Why Fashion Can’t Look Away
What’s striking about Labubu’s rise is how it mirrors larger shifts in fashion itself: the embrace of weirdness, the obsession with “it” objects and the craving for tangible, collectible culture in an increasingly digital world. While luxury houses dabble in NFT drops and AI avatars, Labubu wins by being tactile. They are something you can touch, hold and attach to your everyday look.
More than just hype, Labubu feels personal. It nods to childhood, but it’s also a wink to style insiders who get the reference. It adds a narrative to any outfit, and in a social media world where everything is content, that storytelling matters.
Now, fashion brands are catching on. Rumors are swirling that designers are collaborating with Pop Mart for limited-edition Labubu drops.
Labubu’s unexpected runway moment isn’t just about a plush toy. It’s about fashion’s current desire for identity and individuality. At a time when standing out means more than blending in, Labubu is loud, proud and impossible to ignore.
In a sea of beige handbags and timeless basics, Labubu dares to accessorize with chaos. Fashion has never looked more fun.