Latest news with #Lafufu
The Verge
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Verge
‘Honestly, the more botched they look, the better.'
Posted Jun 27, 2025 at 5:11 PM UTC 'Honestly, the more botched they look, the better.' Labubus — those kind of scary little dolls with teeth that people are obsessed with — are hard to come by these days. It's no surprise that the knock off industry is filling the gap; what is funny is that the fake dolls ('Lafufus') are popular, too. For some Labubu owners, the authenticity of their doll doesn't even matter. It's part of the fandom experience all the same. What Is a Lafufu? Fake Labubus Find Some Fans Online. [
New York Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Their Labubus Are Fake, and They Don't Care
If your Labubu doll has more than nine teeth, or if it came in a box with a shiny bright finish, it may not be a Labubu at all. It may be a 'Lafufu.' Knockoffs of the wildly popular elflike doll, which are collectively called 'the Monsters' and are sold exclusively by the Chinese toy retailer Pop Mart, have become almost as popular as the real thing — and they are much easier to find. Many of the real Labubus come in blind boxes with limited availability, so you don't know which one you're going to get until you open it, fueling a sense of scarcity and surprise that adds to the appeal — and a growing resale market, where the dolls can go for much more than their $20 to $30 retail price range. As key chains, the dolls have been wholeheartedly adopted by the fashion set; it's not uncommon to see a $20 Labubu hanging from a $20,000 Birkin. The hype is real: A life-size version of one of the dolls recently sold for more than $170,000 at auction, and Pop Marts in Britain briefly halted sales of the dolls in May after reports of chaotic crowd surges and fights among customers hoping to snag new releases. Yet 'Lafufus,' as the fake figures are affectionately called, are also trending. Sold both in person (been to Canal Street recently?) and online at cheaper prices than their brethren's, they're much easier to find, even if they look a little … off. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Business Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Times
Labubu's biggest threat is not Wakuku, or Lafufu
LABUBU, an elf-like plush toy with pointy ears and nine serrated teeth, has become a global sensation, worn by celebrities including Rihanna and Dua Lipa. These dolls are sold out in stores from Singapore to London; a human-sized version recently fetched a whopping US$150,000 at an auction in Beijing. With all the social media buzz, it is worth asking if we are witnessing the rise of a new-age collectible, or whether Labubu is a mere fad destined to fade. Investors certainly want to know. Pop Mart International Group, the Chinese manufacturer behind this trendy toy, has rallied 178 per cent this year. With US$43 billion market cap, the company is worth more than twice as much as Sanrio and Mattel combined, owners of long-time favourites Hello Kitty and Barbie. Last year, Pop Mart's revenue doubled to 13 billion yuan (S$2.3 billion), while its gross margin came in at an enviable 67 per cent, roughly twice as profitable as a generic toymaker. The company generated four billion yuan in operating profit, versus 1 billion yuan in 2023. There are worries, however, that copycats might dent Labubu's brand image, which underpins Pop Mart's outsized profitability. Wakuku, a chubby character with a familiar mischievous grin, is being rolled out by lifestyle retail chain Miniso Group Holding Whereas Labubu is about a little monster inspired by Nordic fairy tales, Wakuku tells the story of a rebellious wild child in the forest. These dolls are also being sold in blind boxes, a clever marketing ploy that Pop Mart championed to add an element of surprise to its products. For Miniso, it's a good bet so far: Wakuku dolls have drawn long lines at the retailer's flagship stores across China. Meanwhile, Nasdaq-listed QuantaSing Group Ltd., which ultimately owns the intellectual property through an acquisition deal in March, is up 365 per cent this year. There's also Lafufu, a term collectors use for counterfeit Labubu dolls that are flooding online marketplaces. These cheap knockoffs, with lopsided faces and misaligned limbs, are getting their own cultural moment, competing with the original on how ugly they can get. After all, Labubu went viral because of its weird, yet somehow cute looks, and custom-made Lafufus with unique outfits or expressions are accentuating that aesthetic. While both might chip away some of Labubu's business, neither can tank it. Wakuku is still swimming in the more lucrative designer toy category, not undercutting Pop Mart on pricing. Meanwhile, Lafufu owners often end up buying the original to establish a frame of reference for their customised dolls if nothing else. As for state media's warnings on blind box sales, Labubu as a brand has already moved beyond this marketing tool. Rather, the biggest threat to Labubu's lure as a collectible is Pop Mart's fragile dance with the toy's resellers. On the one hand, the company will have trouble fostering a broad fan base if its dolls largely end up in scalpers' hands. On the other, Labubu can't become a luxury item if it doesn't have a resilient resale market. In an economic slowdown, consumers tend to seek out luxury products that command higher resale value. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up Pop Mart tested that resilience on June 18, the last day of China's month-long shopping festival, launching its first online presale of third-generation Labubu plush toys. While it was a tremendous success for the company's bottom line – revenue from the presales is expected to exceed 500 million yuan – the second-hand market crashed. Average transaction price for the doll tumbled by as much as 40 per cent amid worries that the company will de-stock faster and more often than before. Before the surprise presale, a 99-yuan toy could be sold in secondary markets for roughly anywhere between 200 and 500 yuan. In other words, resellers were reaping in more profit from Labubu than its manufacturer. As more consumers receive their dolls over the next few months though, what will Labubu's resale market look like? Does the economics still work for arbitrageurs? Right now, Pop Mart's biggest puzzle is to figure out what percentage of its Labubu sales is going to resellers. For other luxury items such as the fiery baijiu moutai liquor, industry analysts have a rough estimate on how many bottles resellers have hoarded over the years, thus giving producer Kweichow Moutai a sense of how much new supply it should bring to the market while maintaining scarcity and thus brand exclusivity. But this kind of information is impossible to obtain for Labubu, because it's such a recent phenomenon. Social media buzz can also cloud one's judgement. Of course, Pop Mart should be pleased with Labubu's stardom. But lately, this weird-looking toy is becoming a bit unwieldy. BLOOMBERG
Daily Mail
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Labubu obsessed? We found the 8 wildest accessories from car seats to clothing all under $10
You thought Labubus were wild — just wait till you see their accessories! That's right people — Labubus have taken over, and they have moved far beyond the fuzzy monster blobs we have all come to love. The lovable evil-faced keychains from Pop Mart have been notably sold out for MONTHS now. But whether you have been able to get your hands on one or not, we have a comprehensive list of not only the best places to buy lookalikes but also the most adorably absurd accessories we think every Labubu (or ' Lafufu ') owner needs. Acrylic Storage Box + 'Lafufu' This Temu find is nearly spot on and for under $15 you get wayyy more bang for your buck! Enjoy one of the viral clear rotating stands that Labubu owners are using to store their keychains as well as one unboxed 'Lafufu' in a random color! $11.49 Shop 'Lafufu' Monster Box Toy Heart Macaron Labubu or 'Lafufu'? These lookalikes are so accurate even we did a double take! If you are one of the many who can not seem to get their hands on a Labubu these knock-off Macaroon ones may be for you. $2.91 (was $6.48) Shop ACCESSORIES Case for Collectible Plush Dolls You may have thought your Labubu was cute as is but wait until you see it inside this mini carrying bag! We found these lightweight cases on Temu and have not stopped dreaming of them since. They come in multiple styles, including this coffee themed one, and keep your Labubu well taken care of. The keychain attaches to any bag! $9.58 Shop Labubu Car Seat If you thought your Labubu was safe in the car before — think again. You can officially get your Labubus car vent seats that strap them in for bumpy rides and has them looking chic. Amazon is selling multiple version in many colors and you can buy multiple to have all your Labubus on display! $13 Shop Protective Case for LABUBU As a Labubu owner ourselves, we know they can get dirty on your bag quite quickly. This funky little plastic case snaos into place over your Labubu (outfit and all!) to keep it protected rain or shine. It has a keychain port so you can still attach it to backpacks, purses, and beyond! $11.20 (was $15) Shop Labubu Clothing Sets Labubu fans across the internet are not dimply just buying Labubus — no, they are buying them an entire wardrobe. That's right! You can dress up your Labubu in the cutest outfits like this pack that comes with fuzzy ensembles, designer dupes, and more! $25 (was $29) Shop
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Fake Labubu Identity: How to identify if your Labubu is fake or real?
So, you finally got your hands on one of those little gremlins everyone on social media is obsessed with? You own a Labubu. Congrats! But wait, is it the real deal or did you accidentally adopt a knockoff cousin called Lafufu? Yes, the Popmart viral sensation has officially hit collector chaos levels. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now And like all good things that blow up online, the fakes have come flooding in faster than you can say 'limited edition.' If you're staring at your new plush monster wondering whether it's a fashion-forward icon or a sneaky imposter - don't worry, we have got you. Let's break it down. What even is a Labubu? Labubu isn't just a weird little elf-beast thing. She (yes, she - according to the OG children's books by Kasing Lung) is the star of The Monsters series and has become a fashion-forward freaky-cute collectible thanks to a collab with Chinese retail giant Popmart. Think big buggy eyes, crocodile teeth, and a dash of chaotic energy. Throw in a blind-box unboxing experience and a rare-chase factor (1 in 72 boxes has an ultra-rare piece!) and you've got a recipe for instant Instagram clout. Even celebs like Dua Lipa and Rihanna are toting Labubus around like they're the new Birkins. So of course… chaos ensued. Enter: The Lafufu Because the internet can't have nice things without bootleg versions popping up, we now have Lafufus. These are fake Labubus. Kinda cute, kinda wonky, and definitely causing confusion. They're being sold all over online marketplaces often for dirt cheap. But here's the thing: not all knockoffs are evil. Some people actually prefer their Lafufus. More on that in a sec. How to spot a fake (aka Lafufu vs Labubu) If your Labubu came with side-eye and an iffy-looking foot, don't panic just yet. Here's how to suss out whether your monster baby is legit or living a lie: Packaging Real Labubus come in Popmart-branded box with a scannable QR code. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Lafufus are often sold in a plastic bag that looks like it once held leftover noodles. Red flag. Details Authentic Labubus have pretty little touches - tiny blush, UV-reactive foot markings, tiny hands. Lafufus? Blobs with hair. Look out for weird fur, missing limbs, or one eye higher than the other. Build quality Labubus might have slight imperfections (hey, they're handmade), but Lafufus can be wild. We're talking floppy legs, weird fur textures, and paint jobs that scream 'art class at age 5.' Price check Found one for under £10? It's almost definitely a Lafufu. Legit Labubus are usually £25 and up, especially if they're rare or part of a collector's set. Okay but, should you even buy a Lafufu? Here's the hot take: Maybe? We're not gonna shame you for choosing the budget-friendly option, especially when Labubu resale prices are reaching iPhone levels (INR 2,89,000). If you don't care about QR codes or collectible street cred, Lafufus are actually (kinda) great. Creative playground Some collectors buy Lafufus just to customize them. They repaint, fluff, shave, stitch outfits—you name it. It's like Build-a-Bear meets chaotic art therapy. Affordable entry into the fandom If you're Labubu-curious but don't want to drop half your paycheck on a doll with a snarl, Lafufu lets you join the monster party without financial regret. Just be honest about what you're getting. Don't fall for listings pretending to be real Popmart goods when they're clearly not. If it says 'Labubu' but shows up looking like it had a rough night in the washing machine - you've got yourself a Lafufu. Real or fake, love your weird little monster At the end of the day, whether your toy is a certified collectible or a rogue Lafufu with a slightly lopsided grin, it's still a part of the culture. What matters is that you love it. Labubu or Lafufu, real or remix, just make sure you're buying from legit sellers, managing your expectations, and maybe not spending your rent money on a monster in a box. (Unless you really want to. No judgment.) And hey, if Rihanna can rock one, so can you. Even if yours cost £9.99 (INR 1,100) and came with a mystery odor. Want more tips on spotting fakes or customizing your Lafufu into a punk-rock icon? Just holler, Labubu world is wild, and we are here for the chaos.
