EXCLUSIVE Why I've spent $20K flying across the globe to collect Labubus... and won't stop anytime soon

Daily Mail​

5 days ago

A man who has forked over $20,000 and flown all across the globe collecting Labubus has clapped back at haters who have slammed his obsession.
Labubus - plush, furry little dolls made by Chinese toy company Pop Mart - have become all the rage in recent months, with people across the world scrambling to get their hands on one.
The $30 toy, which originated in Hong Kong and has big teeth, elf-like ears, and a fuzzy outfit, has caused such a stir that some are paying more than triple the price for one on resale sites.
Many people are going through great lengths to get in on the bizarre new trend. Take Ensito, from Charlotte, North Carolina, for example, who quit his job six months ago and has since been traveling the world on the hunt for Labubus.
While speaking exclusively with the Daily Mail, he explained that when he first learned about the quirky little toy in October 2024, he didn't get the hype.
'At first I thought they were a little weird, kind of ugly if we're being honest,' he joked.
But when a colleague asked him to go pick one up for her during his vacation to London and he saw just how intense the craze was, he knew he had to get in on it.
'I waited in line for three hours, only for them to sell out just two people ahead of me,' he recalled. 'That moment stuck with me.'
Shortly after, he saw a Labubu being sold on TikTok Live and decided to purchase it - and soon, he 'was hooked.'
While at first he found the fuzzy little creatures 'ugly,' the more Ensito looked at his new Labubu, the more he fell in love with it.
'The longer I looked at them, the more charming and expressive they seemed,' he shared. 'It didn't take long before I started to see the artistry in each piece.'
He explained that he was drawn to the 'exclusivity,' Labubus are now seen as a status symbol, with wealthy men and women hanging them off their Hermès Birkin bags and $2,000 Goyard totes.
Soon, Ensito began building up his collection of Labubus and documenting his quests to get the toys on his TikTok.
He ultimately decided to leave his job so he could focus on the endeavor full time.
'My focus now is on creative storytelling and building community through collecting,' he explained.
He now has roughly 30 Labubus and has estimated that he's spent 'a little over $20,000' on his collection.
He explained that 'each Labubu has its own mood and its own character,' insisting, 'They're more than just collectibles.'
'I love the creativity behind every series, and how they often reflect fantasy, mischief, and whimsy,' he said.
'They're expressive without saying a word. And as a collector, there's something really rewarding about finding one that fits a personal memory or feeling.'
He's flown to various locations across the US and in Europe to get a rare Labubu, including England, the Netherlands, Italy, and France, forking over thousands more on his travel expenses.
'I've booked entire trips just to try my luck at in-person Pop Mart locations or pick up local exclusives. Usually before drop day I travel to a city where they have a Pop Mart,' he continued.
'Each stop is like a mini treasure hunt. Depending on the destination, flights range from $500 to $1,500, and hotel stays usually start around $300 a night.
'I try to turn each trip into a broader experience, so it's not just about the Labubus. But let's be real, they're the highlight.'
He said being able to purchase a new Labubu that he's been hunting for is like an 'unmatched rush.'
'I feel a mix of victory, relief, and excitement,' shared the collector. 'When you've been tracking a specific figure for weeks or months and it finally lands in your hands? It's like completing a puzzle piece in your story.
'There have been moments of chaos, for sure - including frantically coordinating pickup orders across different cities, time zones, and even continents.
'But I think the wildest part is how quickly I can jump into action when a rare drop happens - adrenaline takes over!'
Ensito admitted that he's received some backlash over his obsession, but he is completely unbothered by the negative comments.
'Sometimes people don't understand it, especially when they hear how much I've spent or how far I've traveled,' he said.
'But I always say: everyone has their thing. For some it's fashion, for others it's sports or sneakers. For me, it's Labubus. It brings me joy, and I've built real friendships because of it.'
In the end, he hopes that being so open will help others feel comfortable embracing their passions, even if people judge you for it.
'If it makes you happy, it doesn't have to make sense to anyone else,' he concluded.
'I stay focused on the community I've built, the stories I get to tell, and the creative outlet this hobby gives me.