…why we seek likeable identities through obscure trends.
We’ve all been seeing the Labubu hype grow massively over the last few weeks – from simple curiosity, to lining up for hours in hopes you MIGHT secure one, and now…’collectors’ resulting to violence.
Insane.
But what actually are they, where do they come from and who’s responsible for the hype? Give me a few minutes to explain.
The birth of the Labubu:
In 2014/15 Kasing Lung, a Hong-Kong born artist, first became a children’s book illustrator while in Belgium and apart of this book created the Labubu apart of this series – a monster inspired by folklore. Four years later, Lung signed a deal with Pop Mart, allowing the company to distribute the ‘Labubu’ and her friends Spooky, Zimomo, Pato and Tycoco as figurines. And despite what you’d expect “Labubu’ has no direct translation our meaning which makes it even funnier to me that people are fighting over these things.
Who’s responsible for the hype?
The hype started the same way every other trend does, only something certain people are aware about – an ‘if you know, you know’ thing, until literally every body knows. Celebs and influencers now act as validators of online culture which bleeds into real life quicker than we’d expect. As for the Labubu, I’d say Lisa from BLACKPINK played a trailblazing role in introducing the collectable to a more mainstream culture. Now Olivia Attwood…
Olivia’s dedication to her love of the Labubu definitely caught my attention. From her social medias being plastered with Labubu’s to having her most recent birthday party inspired by the doll.
Labubu isn’t just a toy. It’s social symbol.
They’re not your typical cute bag charm or key ring which poses the question of if Rihanna and Huda are into them, why aren’t I? So then it begins, you start to convince yourself they’re cute, even I started to convince myself but what do I need a Labubu for???
That brings me onto my last point.
consumption=performance
We aren’t only buying, we’re broadcasting…
I do this a lot myself so I know what I’m talking about when I say we are living in an age where consumption is no longer something of privacy, it’s all for show. Are we even certain we actually like or want the things we’re purchasing on whim? no. What’s the point in buying the same item your fave celeb or influencer has been posting if you aren’t going to show everyone you just bought it too, right? We don’t buy for the purpose of owning, we buy for the purpose of showing.
The immersion of consumption culture is impacting how Gen Z and Millennials construct their identities. Labubu has generated a significant revenue over the last year, not just through sales but cultural relevance – FOMO thrives on the obscure and the way products become passports to a visibility that the masses crave.
It’s interesting that in the pursuit of individuality, many end up seeking the exact thing. A toy hidden in a blind box, a concealed object, an ugly doll becoming a tool in moulding the identities of those so desperate to be unique an adopt niche subcultures.
It’s too late for some but will you be victim to the Labubu hype?
Thanks for reading,
Until next time,
megankamangawrites.
megan kamanga writes 
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