While Beijing has been showing off its latest military hardware to an array of international leaders, Chinese cultural icons are making their mark with a very different audience.
At Naomi Osaka’s opening match at the US Open, she had a Labubu attached to her racket bag as she walked on to court which attracted a lot of attention. After the match she told reporters that the doll was a tribute to Billie Jean King (it has big BJK trademark glasses and she calls it Billie Jean Bling).
One of the most notable symbols of the increasing global reach of China’s popular culture is the popularity of the Labubu, a collectable toy with rabbit ears and a grin. Rihanna, David Beckham and Blackpink’s Lisa are among the celebrities photographed with a Labubu doll.
