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The Guardian - AU

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Van Badham

A fluff ball with a monster face: what explains the luxury appeal of Labubu dolls?

Labubu Luxury Pop Mart eBay

Hands wearing black lace gloves hold a designer bag with Labubu dolls — ‘The queues, the celebrity vaunting and the online Labubu fandoms exist in a conspicuously grown-up consumer conversation.’ Photograph: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

Labubu dolls first hit the market in 2019, but in 2025 they’re sustaining a viral moment. We should ask ourselves why.

News.com.au reports that recent “drops” of the toy in Australia have seen queues form for blocks around its distributor, Pop Mart, with 3am-risers racing to meet the arrival of restocked merchandise. A Pop Mart spokesperson insists such a mania in pursuit of the highly-collectible plushies and miniatures has gripped Australia “like never before”.

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