Latest news with #Labubus
Hindustan Times
14 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Buying a Labubu toy? Here's how to spot a fake
Those wide-eyed little creatures hanging off backpacks or staring out from shelves? They're Labubus and they're absolutely everywhere right now. If you haven't seen one, you probably haven't looked hard enough. Labubus from Pop Mart stores and their online shop often sell out fast, leaving fans to chase them elsewhere. (@LABUBU_0x/ X) These collectible figures from Pop Mart have become a global obsession, and that has made them incredibly hard to buy. Pop Mart stores and their online shop often sell out fast, leaving fans to chase them elsewhere. Once stock dries up, buyers head to Amazon or resellers like StockX — but even then, it's hit or miss. And with the hype comes a big problem: fakes. Known online as 'Lafufus,' these counterfeit toys are showing up more and more. Many look convincing at first glance, but small details reveal which ones are real. StockX is a trusted resale site because it uses a serious verification system to weed out knockoffs. But if you're buying Labubu dolls from other places, like random Amazon listings or independent sellers, the risk goes up. Some buyers don't realize they've bought a fake until it's too late. So how do you tell if your Labubu is the real ? Start with the box. Authentic packaging has a matte, soft feel with dull colors. Real boxes also come with a QR code that takes you straight to Pop Mart's official site. If the code leads somewhere else or redirects after a weird pause it's likely fake. Not all old Labubu models have QR codes, though, so the missing code doesn't always mean trouble. There are more ways to check. First, count the teeth. Every real Labubu has exactly nine sharp teeth. Also Read: What are Labubu dolls? All about internet's latest obsession Real Labubus have a soft peachy tone Next, check the color of its face. Real Labubus have a soft peachy tone. If the color is too orange, pink, or yellow, it might be fake. One of the newest ways Pop Mart is fighting fakes is with a UV stamp. Starting with 2024 releases, official Labubus now have a hidden stamp on the right foot that only shows up under UV light. What you see depends on the series. A 'Have A Seat' Labubu should appear to be sitting in the UV stamp. A 'Macaron' series one should show a standing figure. No stamp at all? It could be an older model or a fake. If you're still shopping for one, the safest option is always Pop Mart itself, either in-store or through their website. But those often sell out in minutes. When that happens, StockX is your next safest bet, known for verifying high-demand products like sneakers and now Labubu dolls, too. Amazon's official Pop Mart listings are another option, but those often go just as quickly. And if you're not careful, it's easy to click on a third-party seller and end up with a fake. Scammers know how popular these toys are, and they're cashing in. So before you buy, know the signs. Nobody wants to pay for a collectible and end up with a cheap knockoff.
Business Insider
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
Parents will do anything for their kids — even tracking down a Labubu
She first noticed the plush monsters with toothy grins dangling from kids' belt loops. Carly Anderson, 45, had discovered the Labubu craze. She was truly initiated into the obsessed fandom when she was gently laughed out of the Pop Mart store at her local mall for trying to buy one of the coveted toys in person. While she stood morosely by a Pop Mart vending machine, a "nice gentleman" gave her tips and a list of third-party stores where she might find a monster, she said. After 20 hours of legwork and around $180, she tracked down three of the little monsters at third-party sellers and local stores. What drove the obsession? Love. "Everybody jokes, 'Oh my gosh, who spends all this time looking for a Labubu?' But for me, this is much more about my daughter — seeing that she's excited about something, and I want to get excited about that thing with her," Anderson said. They've bonded and brainstormed over places they can try to acquire a Labubu, and have more time to devote to the hunt now that school is out for the summer. Anderson has also experienced a strange side effect afflicting other parents: She's grown to find the monsters endearing. "I have to say, at first I did not understand them at all and I thought they were so ugly, but somehow now I want one too," Anderson said. "I don't know what happened." Anderson is part of a new class of Labubu seekers: The parents, grandparents, and guardians conscripted into the hunt and became endeared to the little monsters along the way. Labubus first skyrocketed to popularity in Asia, where consumers clamored to get the snaggle-toothed monsters and adorn their bags with them. Their popularity has reached all corners of the globe, with Americans, Brits, and South Koreans all fiending to get their hands on the collectible. That's led to a feeding frenzy on the Pop Mart website, app, and reseller groups. To get a Labubu is no easy feat; it requires knowing when they'll drop on the app, on TikTok live, or — in very rare cases — if and when they'll make an appearance in a physical storefront. There's a whole online world of tricks for trying to get a Labubu. Behind those computer screens, Discord chats, Reddit posts, and Facebook groups are parents and grandparents desperate to get their hands on one of the fuzzy creatures. Some parents are now in the Labubu game for themselves: Lora Martin, 41, has been trying her best to get an authentic Labubu, but, in the meantime, acquired a knockoff, called a " Lafufu," that she's named Lil Debbie. "They're strictly for me. These collectibles are for me. I'm not ashamed to say it," Martin said. "It may sound selfish and weird, but I'm 42. I've worked hard and I love these kinds of things. I've been a collector my whole life; this is nothing new." She said that her kid, who also enjoys collecting things, isn't interested in Labubus; after all, as she noted, Labubus are explicitly marketed to adults. Her son, 5, is more interested in things like Bluey. Martin now has a Labubu from a reseller on the way. 'It's the crazy things we do for our kids' On the other end is Mia Ponzo, who used to hate Labubus. Then she found herself waking up at 4:30 a.m. every day for a week to get one. Ponzo is a grandmother based in Kuwait. She first became aware of the cultlike following that has sprung up around the fuzzy monster dolls through Hermes Facebook groups. She noticed that her fellow Hermes fanatics were posting about dangling the trendy creatures, which come adorned with a key ring, on their bags. "I initially thought they were the most disgusting things on earth, and I was like, 'who the hell would put this stuff on their bag, why would you ruin a beautiful Hermes bag with a Labubu?'" Ponzo said of the Hermes-to-Labubu pipeline. But then, "I don't know, the whole thing started to grow on me." Ponzo had been on the Labubu hunt for her granddaughter, who would only settle for a pink one. She woke up early to try to snag one when China-based Pop Mart drops a select few on its website; by chance, she ended up being able to order a full set of Labubus off of Pop Mart's Thailand website, but hasn't had success on the US-based site. In the meantime, she's gotten hooked on the thrill of the chase. She's now deep into everything Pop Mart and has three Labubus of her own, although she's drawn a line in the sand: "I would never put one on a bag. I don't think so. I don't even wear regular Hermes charms anymore." Meanwhile, Kellie Crawford, a 49-year-old mother in Pennsylvania, recently found herself conscripted into what she's deemed the great Labubu hunt. Her daughter went down a rabbit hole after encountering the monsters on TikTok, even going so far as to create an Excel spreadsheet and index cards on how best to acquire one. While her daughter was trying to game the system, Crawford found herself Labubu backchanneling: She posted on Facebook groups, tried to meet people locally, and did all that she could to secure a Labubu for her daughter's 16th birthday. "It was crazy. I think several parts of my life are just gone because of the time spent sitting trying to tap on a box and watching a clock tick down," Crawford said, referring to the Pop Mart virtual game that is often one of the easier routes to get a Labubu in a cart. She added: "It's the things we do for our kids. It's the crazy things we do for our kids." Finally, she found one on eBay for not too high of a markup, and bought it as a surprise. Before it arrived, her daughter finally purchased the exact same one through Pop Mart. Crawford had to come clean: The same one was already en route. "I was excited for her, but I felt like I burst her bubble a little bit," Crawford said. Then, they suddenly realized what this means: Now Crawford and her daughter could have twin "Labuskis" — the nickname her daughter has coined for the toys. "We have it dressed, and mine — I guess it's now my Labubu — is named Tilly Snack Pac Labuski," Crawford said. "She's the cutest thing, to be quite honest." jkaplan@
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shoe charms: Add style & drama to your feet
AI-generated image for representative purposes only Turn your shoes into a canvas that narrates your story. From your favourite cartoon characters, food items, to even dainty accessories like bows, safety pins, chains, bears, etc. , your shoes can hold all kinds of charms that best depict your personality. What started as a trend in the West has now spread among shoeheads in India as well. According to Neeti Patwa, founder of a bespoke jewellery boutique store, 'The trend allows individuals to personalise their look. Just like jewellery, shoe charms can reflect your mood, personality, or even the occasion. They're small, but they stand out, and they can make even the most basic pair of shoes pop.' Coach, Miu Miu offer charms made of leather, with metal accents and branded motifs. Simone Rocha's collaboration with Crocs is one of the best-known interpretations of this trend. Labubus, the internet's hottest charms for handbags, can be easily clipped to your footwear too, for a quirky twist Meghna Ghodawat Simone Rocha's collaboration with Crocs (@simonerocha)(left)/Labubu shoe charm(right) (@essentiacollections) An extension of one's personality Personalising any item from your wardrobe reflects your personality. The same goes for shoes. Suhana Sethi, a sneakerhead and digital creator, was first introduced to this trend when she was in London. She says, 'Customising my sneakers with charms of various kinds is an extension of my personality. They tell my story.' Nandini Sharma, a digital content creator, explored the trend on Pinterest. She says, 'I've been hooked ever since. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Livguard Lithium-X: The Future of Power Backup Livguard Buy Now Undo It's the easiest way to show style... a sneak peek into my personality.' Suhana Sethi likes changing her shoe charms from time to time There is a thought behind every charm A combination of factors determines the choice of the charms. Mainak Chakraborty, a shoe enthusiast, picks charms depending on the occasion. 'If I am hanging out with friends, I choose a fun set. For a special movie outing, I try to match the charms to it. For me, my charms need to mean something.' For Suhana, the choice of charms depends largely on her outfit, likes and mood. 'Jordans, French fries, macaroons, sports games I follow, etc. , are a few things I like. So I buy and use those charms.' Meanwhile, Nandini opts for a mix of fun and cute elements. 'It's like building a tiny red carpet moment for my feet. My shoes keep up with the drama.' Experiment with styles Although most popularly used on sneakers, charms can also be added to heels or boots. They are easily available on e-commerce websites at affordable prices. Here are a few styling tips to get you started: Thread a pair of broad satin ribbons with glass beads or pearls to lace up your sneakers Opt for safety pins with little charms in fruit shapes or Korean-themed bows to add zest to your regular sneakers Adorn your heels with crystal pins, floral motifs, or pearl strands. These can be worn across your ankle or added to the straps of your shoes You can loop small charms through your shoelaces for a fun, personalised detail Use a delicate chain with charms across the back of boots for a subtle but different look Add a single statement charm near the tongue of the shoe to draw attention Opt for symbolic charms to make it personal (Tips by Meghna Ghodawat, luxury fashion stylist, Neeti Patwa, founder of a bespoke jewellery boutique store) Just like custom embroidery or monogrammed bags, charms offer a small yet powerful way to say something personal. Whether it's initials, a symbol of love, or a charm that reflects a mood, each one becomes a wearable part of your story Tanushri Biyani Don't damage shoes Avoid overloading the shoes with too many charms Choose charms with smooth finished backs to prevent abrasion Always remove charms before storing the shoes to prevent dents or impressions Secure them tightly so they don't swing excessively (Tips by Tanushri Biyani, founder of a bridal sneaker and footwear brand)
Malaysian Reserve
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Malaysian Reserve
Monsters and memes: Labubu dolls ride China soft-power wave
SHANGHAI – Small, fuzzy and baring sharp teeth, Chinese toymaker Pop Mart's Labubu monster dolls have taken over the world, drawing excited crowds at international stores and adorning the handbags of celebrities such as Rihanna and Cher. Beijing-based Pop Mart is part of a rising tide of Chinese cultural exports gaining traction abroad, furry ambassadors of a 'cool' China even in places associated more with negative public opinion of Beijing such as Europe and North America. Labubus, which typically sell for around $40, are released in limited quantities and sold in 'blind boxes', meaning buyers don't know the exact model they will receive. The dolls are 'a bit quirky and ugly and very inclusive, so people can relate', interior designer Lucy Shitova told AFP at a Pop Mart store in London, where in-person sales of Labubus have been suspended over fears that fans could turn violent in their quest for the toys. 'Now everything goes viral… because of social media. And yes, it's cool. It's different.' While neighbouring East Asian countries South Korea and Japan are globally recognised for their high-end fashion, cinema and pop songs, China's heavily censored film and music industry have struggled to attract international audiences, and the country's best-known clothing exporter is fast-fashion website Shein. There have been few success stories of Chinese companies selling upmarket goods under their own brands, faced with stereotypes of cheap and low-quality products. 'It has been hard for the world's consumers to perceive China as a brand-creating nation,' the University of Maryland's Fan Yang told AFP. Pop Mart has bucked the trend, spawning copycats dubbed by social media users as 'lafufus' and detailed YouTube videos on how to verify a doll's authenticity. Brands such as designer womenswear label Shushu/Tong, Shanghai-based Marchen and Beijing-based handbag maker Songmont have also gained recognition abroad over the past few years. 'It might just be a matter of time before even more Chinese brands become globally recognisable,' Yang said. Through viral exports like Labubu, China is 'undergoing a soft-power shift where its products and image are increasingly cool among young Westerners', said Allison Malmsten, an analyst at China-based Daxue Consulting. Malmsten said she believed social media could boost China's global image 'similar to that of Japan in the 80s to 2010s with Pokemon and Nintendo'. Video app TikTok — designed by China's ByteDance — paved the way for Labubu's ascent when it became the first Chinese-branded product to be indispensable for young people internationally. Joshua Kurlantzick from the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) told AFP that 'TikTok probably played a role in changing consumers' minds about China'. TikTok, which is officially blocked within China but still accessible with VPN software, has over one billion users, including what the company says is nearly half of the US population. The app has become a focus of national security fears in the United States, with a proposed ban seeing American TikTok users flock to another Chinese app, Rednote, where they were welcomed as digital 'refugees'. A conduit for Chinese social media memes and fashion trends, TikTok hosts over 1.7 million videos about Labubu. Cultural exports can 'improve the image of China as a place that has companies that can produce globally attractive goods or services', CFR's Kurlantzick told AFP. 'I don't know how much, if at all, this impacts images of China's state or government,' he said, pointing to how South Korea's undeniable soft power has not translated into similar levels of political might. While plush toys alone might not translate into actual power, the United States' chaotic global image under the Trump presidency could benefit perceptions of China, the University of Maryland's Yang said. 'The connection many make between the seeming decline of US soft power and the potential rise in China's global image may reflect how deeply intertwined the two countries are in the minds of people whose lives are impacted by both simultaneously,' she told AFP. At the very least, Labubu's charms appear to be promoting interest in China among the younger generation. 'It's like a virus. Everyone just wants it,' Kazakhstani mother-of-three Anelya Batalova told AFP at Pop Mart's theme park in Beijing. Qatari Maryam Hammadi, 11, posed for photos in front of a giant Labubu statue. 'In our country, they love Labubu,' she said. 'So, when they realise that the origin of Labubu is in China, they'd like to come to see the different types of Labubu in China.' –AFP
HKFP
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- HKFP
Monsters and memes: Labubu dolls ride Chinese soft-power wave
Small, fuzzy and baring sharp teeth, Chinese toymaker Pop Mart's Labubu monster dolls have taken over the world, drawing excited crowds at international stores and adorning the handbags of celebrities such as Rihanna and Cher. Beijing-based Pop Mart is part of a rising tide of Chinese cultural exports gaining traction abroad, furry ambassadors of a 'cool' China even in places associated more with negative public opinion of Beijing such as Europe and North America. Labubus, which typically sell for around US$40 (HK$314), are released in limited quantities and sold in 'blind boxes', meaning buyers don't know the exact model they will receive. The dolls are 'a bit quirky and ugly and very inclusive, so people can relate', interior designer Lucy Shitova told AFP at a Pop Mart store in London, where in-person sales of Labubus have been suspended over fears that fans could turn violent in their quest for the toys. 'Now everything goes viral… because of social media. And yes, it's cool. It's different.' While neighbouring East Asian countries South Korea and Japan are globally recognised for their high-end fashion, cinema and pop songs, China's heavily censored film and music industry have struggled to attract international audiences, and the country's best-known clothing exporter is fast-fashion website Shein. There have been few success stories of Chinese companies selling upmarket goods under their own brands, faced with stereotypes of cheap and low-quality products. 'It has been hard for the world's consumers to perceive China as a brand-creating nation,' the University of Maryland's Fan Yang told AFP. Pop Mart has bucked the trend, spawning copycats dubbed by social media users as 'lafufus' and detailed YouTube videos on how to verify a doll's authenticity. Brands such as designer womenswear label Shushu/Tong, Shanghai-based Marchen and Beijing-based handbag maker Songmont have also gained recognition abroad over the past few years. 'It might just be a matter of time before even more Chinese brands become globally recognisable,' Yang said. TikTok effect Through viral exports like Labubu, China is 'undergoing a soft-power shift where its products and image are increasingly cool among young Westerners', said Allison Malmsten, an analyst at China-based Daxue Consulting. Malmsten said she believed social media could boost China's global image 'similar to that of Japan in the 80s to 2010s with Pokemon and Nintendo'. Video app TikTok — designed by China's ByteDance — paved the way for Labubu's ascent when it became the first Chinese-branded product to be indispensable for young people internationally. Joshua Kurlantzick from the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) told AFP that 'TikTok probably played a role in changing consumers' minds about China'. TikTok, which is officially blocked within China but still accessible with VPN software, has over one billion users, including what the company says is nearly half of the US population. The app has become a focus of national security fears in the United States, with a proposed ban seeing American TikTok users flock to another Chinese app, Rednote, where they were welcomed as digital 'refugees'. A conduit for Chinese social media memes and fashion trends, TikTok hosts over 1.7 million videos about Labubu. Labubumania Cultural exports can 'improve the image of China as a place that has companies that can produce globally attractive goods or services', CFR's Kurlantzick told AFP. 'I don't know how much, if at all, this impacts images of China's state or government,' he said, pointing to how South Korea's undeniable soft power has not translated into similar levels of political might. While plush toys alone might not translate into actual power, the United States' chaotic global image under the Trump presidency could benefit perceptions of China, the University of Maryland's Yang said. 'The connection many make between the seeming decline of US soft power and the potential rise in China's global image may reflect how deeply intertwined the two countries are in the minds of people whose lives are impacted by both simultaneously,' she told AFP. At the very least, Labubu's charms appear to be promoting interest in China among the younger generation. 'It's like a virus. Everyone just wants it,' Kazakhstani mother-of-three Anelya Batalova told AFP at Pop Mart's theme park in Beijing. Qatari Maryam Hammadi, 11, posed for photos in front of a giant Labubu statue. 'In our country, they love Labubu,' she said. 'So, when they realise that the origin of Labubu is in China, they'd like to come to see the different types of Labubu in China.'
