Labubus are taking over the internet – here's where to buy them

Independent

19-05-2025

Fuzzy, mischievous-looking, fang-toothed characters dangling from bags (often luxury ones), Labubus are the accessories getting everyone talking.
Mainly sold by the Chinese toy company Pop Mart, the designer-toy-turned-fashion-collectible's popularity has risen to new heights as of late – a queue outside the Birmingham Pop Mart store became so long it made headlines, while rare Labubus are being re-sold on third-party sellers sites for more than £1,000 a pop.
Despite these new levels of fandom, the Labubu character isn't new. It was coined in 2015 by Hong Kong-born illustrator Kasing Lung, as part of a whimsical collection of characters, The Monsters, inspired by Dutch and Nordic folklore.
Leaning into maximalism, Labubus bring a pop of personality and fun to any outfit, so, it's easy to see the appeal. Their popularity can be traced back to Lisa from the K-pop band BlackPink, who was seen to be a fan. Having previously shared Labubus on her Instagram stories, the singer has confirmed her love of Pop Mart during a blind unboxing for Vanity Fair, and even referred to Labubu as her 'baby' when interviewed for Teen Vogue.
Since then, Rhianna has been seen adorning her Louis Vuitton bag with a lychee berry Labubu, and Dua Lipa has also jumped on the trend. Now, the charms can often be seen dangling from Birkins and Mui Mui bags, lending them a fun and colourful twist (though, of course, you don't need to have a designer bag to partake in the trend).
Labubu dolls are now typically sold in 'blind boxes', which contain a toy chosen at random from the series, so you won't know which one you've got until you open the box. In addition to regular designs, there are also so-called 'secret edition' Labubus, which are especially rare and sought-after, and bring an element of surprise for collectors, which, naturally, adds fuel to the Labubu fire. The latest is the Big Into Energy series (£17.50, Popmart.com), which dropped this spring. To give you an idea of scale, the toys are around 6in in size (about the same size as an iPhone 16).
With a surge of interest in bag charms – such as Coach hanging cuddly toys from its bags at its New York Fashion Week show – the hashtag Labubu has appeared more than one million times on TikTok. It's unsurprising the toys sell out at lightning speed but if you're determined to find one for yourself, keep reading for everything you need to know.
Where to buy Labubus in the UK
Pop Mart, which has an online shop as well as hundreds of brick-and-mortar stores globally, is the main seller of the toy, so Labubu figures can be bought from the Pop Mart platform.
One of the newest additions to the range is Labubu x Pronounce wings of fortune figure, characterised by its dark purple fur and golden outfit (£31.50, Popmart.com). And it's not just hanging charms, as the brand also makes pendants, figures (£31.50, Popmart.com), bags (£28.90, Popmart.com) and more, though, at the time of writing, they're all sold out (you can sign up to be notified when they're restocked).
You might find you have more luck getting hold of the toys at other retailers, such as StockX, Depop, eBay and the Pop Mart store on Amazon. However, you do need to be wary when shopping elsewhere, as counterfeit versions (now often being referred to as 'Lafufus') can be lurking on resellers' sites, so, it pays to research the differences between the fakes and the real thing. For instance, collectors suggest looking for signs such as the brightness of the packaging, whether the dolls have a Pop Mart stamp on their foot, the number of teeth the dolls should have (nine), and the presence of a QR code on the back of the packaging, which should take you to the official PopMart website.
There are also several shops in the UK, so, if you'd rather buy your Labubu in person, you can head to locations including the Westfield London shopping centre, Hamleys on Regents Street, Oxford Street and others. Adding to the fun, they can also be bought from Pop Mart's vending machines, known as Robo Shops.