Latest news with #Zimomo
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Meet Zimomo, the ‘other' Labubu doll that did not meet the main-character energy
(Image Credits: Pinterest) From a plush doll to a bag charm, a cartoon collectible that sold for six figures is more than just a Gremlin. Yes, you got it right; we're talking about everyone's favourite Labubu, which has sent the internet into a frenzy with its evil smile and little toes. Available in a range of sizes, these plushy monsters come in blind boxes and have taken over the fashion industry in just a month. We are all tired of influencers and celebrities constantly showing off their Labubu and Lafufu, i.e., (fake Labubu) dolls online. Being sold on the internet for a whopping price of Rs 5,000, with limited edition ones shooting up even higher, people are going crazy behind these monsters. (Image Credits: Pinterest) But there is one adorable partner of Labubu that did not match the energy of the audience and turned out to be a flop. We are talking about Zimomo. Labubu's forest friend, who has a small tail and a rounder face. Who on Earth is Zimomo now? Zimomo is the leader of the Labubu elves. While at first glance the characters may all look similar to you, there are minor differences between them. For example, Zimomo has a spiked tail, while Labubu doesn't have a tail. The original Labubu has a squarish face, whereas Zimomo has a cute, rounder face. If the story series is anything to go by, Zimomo is twice the size of Labubu, with a bright and cute smile, happy to be carried as a bag charm. 5 street fashion trends that have been making waves in India Think of him as a sweet, angelic cousin Zimomo is basically the main-character energy in this toyverse. Unlike Labubu's evil and mischievous personality, Zimomo is known to be thoughtful, calm, and innocent, which makes him the leader of the pack. He judges Labubu for his quirky activities, but amidst this show-sha, poor Zimomo was left behind, as Labubu went ahead and took the spotlight. Zimomo is designed by Ayan Deng and has pastel shades with floral patterns, which would look perfect with your sleek and stylish bags. But hold it there; don't get too excited, as in terms of price, Zimomo is much more expensive than you can imagine. Zimomo is up for sale for around Rs 50,000 on Pop Mart. Now, you know the real reason for his downfall. (Image Credits: Pinterest) But, if you're already tired of following the crowd and want something different from Labubu under your budget, then explore the other friends of Labubu and Zimomo. You can pick Yaya, Vos, Pippo, Spooky, Mococo, Tycoco, and Pato. Each has its own personality with little feature changes, which can instantly amp up your accessory look. So yes, while our parents and grandparents are busy collecting coins and stamps, Gen Z out there are buying mysterious little goblins for the price of a whole weekend trip. And do not forget that this Labubu mania made its founder, Wang Ning, China's 10th richest billionaire. Who would've thought that these vicious-looking dolls could be profitable?
NDTV
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Meet Zimomo, The 'Labubu' Doll Worth Rs 50,000 That Did Not Break The Internet
If in the last few months, you've heard people talking nonstop about Labubu and Lafufu (fake Labubu) both IRL and on social media, you're not alone. These adorable or monstrous-looking (call them whatever you want) creatures are being sold online for a whopping Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000 a pop, with limited edition ones shooting even higher. And hold your breath, a life-sized Labubu doll was recently sold for over USD 150,000 in Beijing. Yes, dollars. That turned the humble blind box toy into an actual luxury collectible. The doll's wild success even made its founder, Wang Ning, China's 10th richest billionaire. Who would've thought a sharp-toothed, goblin-faced doll could be this profitable? Now, in case you've been living under a rock (or just offline), here's a quick 101. What On Earth Does Labubu Really Mean? Labubu is the core character in a fantasy universe called The Monsters, created by Hong Kong-Belgian artist Kasing Lung and marketed by Chinese company Pop Mart. Labubu is a mischievous, elf-like monster with a distinctive toothy grin, big wide eyes, and a fuzzy body, blending cuteness with a devilish charm. Its personality is mischievous, cheeky, adventurous, and carefree. The character has become a cultural phenomenon, inspiring a vast range of collectibles, from plush toys to vinyl figures, often sold in the popular blind box format that keeps collectors coming back for more. But have you met the leader of the Labubu elves? Its personality is known to be different, and so is the price tag. The obsession over Labubu grew when Blackpink's Lisa talked about them both. Labubu and Zimomo. Meet Zimomo: The Leader Of The Labubu Elves Zimomo is basically the main-character energy in this toyverse. Unlike Labubu's sneaky smile and mischievous personality, Zimomo's character is known to be soft, innocent, and calm. Think of it as the sweet angelic cousin who's probably judging Labubu for all its mischievous habits. He is the leader of the Labubu elves and unlike Labubu, Zimomo has a rounder face and a spiked tail. In theory he is twice the size of Labubu, but in real life these plushies are almost the same size. Designed by Ayan Deng, Zimomo embodies calmness and serenity, often depicted in pastel colours and floral patterns. In terms of price, Zimomo is much more expensive, and is sold for around Rs 50,000 on Pop Mart. The Other Members Of The Labubu Toyverse Tycoco: Labubu's boyfriend, a small skeleton-like figure with a shy and gentle personality. Despite his spooky appearance, he is soft-hearted and vegetarian, often featured in romantic storylines with Labubu. Mokoko: A close friend of Labubu, known for her pink colour, fragrance, and cute eyelashes. She shares many adventures with Labubu and is part of the same elf tribe. Mokoko means 'special' in elvish. Pato: A dreamer with droopy ears, known for his ingenious plans and complex relationships within the family. Pippo: A humorous river elf with big ears who loves life and parties, adding a lively spirit to the group. Spooky: In the Labubu universe, Spooky is a cute, quiet, and curious snowman-like creature known for the dumpling-like folds on its head. Spooky enjoys nighttime adventures under the moonlight and visiting lively places like Labubu's village. Despite its name, Spooky is not inherently frightening and is considered a friendly character. Vos: Labubu's cousin and senior brother, often guiding and helping the younger members. Yaya: The innocent and playful member who brings joy and laughter to the family. How To Find The Difference Between Labubu And Zimomo Here's a quick table that can help you differentiate the two: So yes, while adults once collected stamps or coins, today we're out here buying mysterious little goblins for the price of a weekend trip. The Labubu mania doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
Gulf Weekly
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Weekly
All dolled up!
Labubu mania has reached Bahrain's shores, with fans and collectors across ages tapping into the viral trend. So, what is it about the ubiquitous monster doll that makes it so covetable? Read on to find out. For the uninitiated, Labubu is a plush toy and figurine, which is part of 'The Monsters' series created by Hong Kong-based artist Kasing Lung. Based on Nordic mythology, it is known for its playful, mischievous nature, has a vinyl face and no tail. Some would even say it flaunts an eerie smile that is hard to miss. Other characters in the universe include Zimomo, Tycoco, Spooky and Pato. Introduced 10 years ago as part of a picture book series, the doll gained popularity after Pop Mart started selling it in 2019; the key ring accessory is available on their official website for more than $100 a pop. A selection of online and physical stores in Bahrain are also selling the toy and limited editions of it – the original ones are priced between BD18 and more than BD25 a piece, while the knock-offs can be purchased for as less as BD1.500. It will also be available at the Bahrain Summer Toy Festival being staged at Exhibition World Bahrain, Sakhir, until August 5. Recently, social media influencers have been opening the mystery boxes they come in online, promoting the Exciting Macaron range as a handbag accessory, further boosting the doll's rise to global fame and marking its entry into the world of fashion. Some celebrities who have been spotted with the toy dangling on their handbag are the Grammy Award-winning Rihanna, American socialite Kim Kardashian, Grammy and Brit Awards-winning Dua Lipa and Bollywood Gen Z heartthrob Ananya Panday. With the trend sweeping across the Gulf, digital influencers and well-known personalities in the region have also posted their love for Labubu on their social media pages. Arab beauty brand owner Huda Kattan, who founded Huda Beauty, also unboxed a Labubu on her TikTok page and, most recently, posted a reel of herself eating a 'Labubu Dubai chocolate', while putting the longevity of one of her lip products to the test. Bahraini collector Samar Busheri, who has been collecting vintage dolls and has an online store for Labubus, observed that the trend started in Kuwait. Bahrain caught on around two months ago. 'Adults and children in Bahrain are buying Labubus now but this trend is an old one – I got mine three years ago,' the graffiti artist from Manama told GulfWeekly. 'The adults who buy for themselves are in the age group of 18 to 40 and others buy it to make their children happy,' she added. Bahraini mother-of-one Maryam Husain believes that Labubus are a harmless little joy, and there's nothing wrong with children getting excited about it. 'But it's also a good chance to remind them that happiness isn't about buying things or always wanting more,' the 38-year-old added. Bahrain-based Russian expatriate and artist Alexandra Novik-Khamis believes that Labubus' 'odd and slightly creepy but cute' appearance makes them highly shareable on social media. 'There is the element of exclusivity, making it a collectable,' she said. 'When certain versions are limited edition or hard to find, it adds to the hype and desire,' added the 36-year-old, who has always loved toys and miniature collectables and, though she is not a big fan of the Labubu character, she owns one and finds the popularity surrounding the toy 'fascinating'. Like everything, Labubu also has two sides to the coin, with criticisms surrounding the hype – 'they're scary', 'they're too expensive'... Many have tagged the trend as capitalist and feeding a culture of overconsumption, especially since it is packaged as a blind box, 'forcing' buyers to make repeat purchases until they get their desired Labubu. The fashion world is also divided on the trend, with Sarah Jessica Parker, who is known for her style, especially after playing the lead character in the long-running series Sex and the City, offering an 'amused' and 'bewildered' look when asked about the ring accessories. American personality Alexandra Cooper, who hosts the popular podcast Call Her Daddy, asked the celebrity about the trend to which she responded, 'What is that?', sparking several debates that question if Labubus as an accessory are 'sophisticated' or 'polished' enough.
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First Post
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
Labubu sells for $150,000 in Beijing: How China's craze for the doll grows
While the Labubu dolls have taken the world by storm recently, China seems to be taking things one step further. A rare Labubu recently fetched $150,000 (Rs 1.28 crore) at auction and regulators in Beijing have banned banks from luring customers by offering them in exchange for deposits read more The craze for the Labubu dolls remains undiminished. In May, Firstpost told you about how these 'cute' monster dolls were taking the world by storm. Now, China seems to be taking things one step further. A Labubu doll in China recently fetched $150,000 (Rs 1.28 crore) at auction and regulators in Beijing have banned banks from luring customers by using the doll. Let's take a closer look: What is it? The Labubu first appeared in a 2015 picture book series. The books, entitled Nordic Fairy Tale, were created by Kasing Lung – an artist born in Hong Kong who currently lives in Belgium. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Labubu, described as having pointed ears and a sharp grin, featured alongside characters such as Zimomo, Tycoco, Spooky, and Pato. Representing a tribe, the Labubu were described as 'playful, cat-sized creatures.' They are described as 'kind-hearted and always eager to help' – though their good intentions often resulted in chaos. While all Labubu are female, the tribe's leader, Zimomo, is male. Lung was said to be inspired by the Smurfs in this regard. Lung, the first Chinese winner of the Illustration Award in Belgium who ventured into toy design in 2010, signed a deal with Pop Mart in 2019. It was then that the Labubu began being sold as dolls. Pop Mart initially began selling these toys as part of a mystery box collectible series. The toy usually retails for about $7 (Rs 600) at its stores. However, Labubu's popularity skyrocketed only after Lisa from K-pop band Blackpink was seen with the doll last year. Lisa also spoke of how much she loved the doll in interviews and spent her money on a Labubu toy collection. This image provided by Pop Mart, shows Labubu, the plush toy from China's Pop Mart. AP Pop stars Rihanna and Dua Lipa also were photographed with the dolls – giving the Labubu a further boost. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The dolls were even seen at Paris Fashion Week. David Beckham also put up a post on social media of himself with a Labubu doll. The days of the Labubu dolls being easily available are now past. 'It's almost impossible to get a Labubu via the official channels,' Pop Mart fan Evelyn Lin told CNN. What do we know about the craze for them in China? The mania for the Labubu doll seems to have reached new heights in China. One human-sized Labubu doll recently sold for $150,000 (Rs 1.28 crore) at an auction in Beijing. The auctioneer said that the mint green, 4 foot three inches tall Labubu doll was one of a kind. The auction, held by Yongle International Auction, was attended by around 200 people. A set of three Labubu sculptures, about 40 cm tall and made of PVC material, sold for $70,000 (Rs 60 lakh). The set, from a series called 'Three Wise Labubu', was limited to a run of 120 sets in 2017. Another one sold for $25,889.64 (Rs 22 lakh) at Sotheby's most recent auction in Hong Kong. In all, four dozen items were sold for a combined price of $5.18 million (Rs 44.3 crore.) STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The auctions saw thousands of bidders vying for the items online. The mania for the Labubu doll seems to have reached new heights in China. Reuters One bidder, restaurant owner Du, said she had planned on spending $2,700 (Rs 2.37 lakh) to purchase a single Labubu doll. However, she was completely outbid by other fans. 'My child likes it so every time when Labubu released new products we will buy one or two items. It is hard to explain its popularity but it must have moved this generation,' she said. Meanwhile even China's regulators have gotten on the action – warning banks not to offer Labubu dolls to entice customers. China's National Financial Regulatory Administration has done so after Ping An Bank Co – a local bank in Zhejiang – offered Labubu dolls to those who could deposit $6,960 (around Rs 6 lakh) for three months. State media slammed the move as 'not a long-term solution' to bring in customers. Banks in China usually offer new customers small home appliances and rice as a welcome gift. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Chinese regulators in 2018 had ordered commercial banks not to seek deposits through 'inappropriate means' such as gifts or returning cash. With inputs from agencies
Hindustan Times
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
What are Labubu dolls? Where to get the 2025's viral collectibles?
In recent weeks, a quirky new craze has taken over the fashion scene — and no, it's not a handbag or designer shoe. It's Labubu, the mischievous little creature that's become 2025's must-have accessory. From fashionistas to street-style stars, these viral dolls are popping up on bags, keychains, and even red carpets, with demand soaring and store lines stretching around the block. Also Read: Is it safe to travel to Italy's Sicily? Red code warning issued after 'intense' Mount Etna eruption Labubu first originated in Hong Kong and stands apart from predecessors like Hello Kitty with its distinct elvish design. The character was born from a Nordic-inspired picture book by artist Kasing Lung, capturing imaginations with its whimsical, slightly mischievous look. In 2019, toy giant Pop Mart transformed Labubu into a collectible figure, and since then, each new collection has only fueled its soaring popularity, as reported by Labubu is part of a tribe called 'The Monsters,' and other members of the group are Zimomo, Mokoko, Tycoco, among others. What makes these dolls different from others is their unique features like wide eyes, a 'mischievous smile', nine very visible teeth, and an exterior furry body. With each collection, their facial expressions and outfits keep changing, making them different from the previous batch. Also Read: Does Leanna Lenee have a '$' tattoo on her ring finger? Travis Hunter's eagle-eyed fans say 'entire world warned him' While these dolls are adorable and have their charm, these collectibles are very hard to get, which adds to the excitement of the hunt. Moreover, these also come in a blind box, so if you want them in a particular colour, they are even harder to get. The Labubu dolls first came into the public eye via Lisa of Blackpink in April 2024. For fans eager to get their hands on the latest Labubu and The Monsters releases, Pop Mart is the go-to destination. The brand drops new collections online every Thursday at 9 p.m., followed by in-store releases every Friday at 10 a.m., making it the first and most reliable source for scoring these sought-after collectibles.
