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https://theconversation.com/labubu-plushies-arent-just-toys-theyre-a-brand-new-frontier-for-chinese-soft-power-259146>
"One of the most sought-after items of 2025 isn’t a designer handbag or the
latest tech gadget. It’s a plush elf with a snaggle-toothed grin.
Labubu (拉布布) is a global sensation. From David Beckham and Rihanna to Dua Lipa
and Blackpink’s Lisa, celebrities – and even members of the Thai royal family –
have been spotted showcasing their Labubu collections.
Created in 2015 by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung for his picture-book series
The Monsters, Labubu gained mass popularity when toy company Pop Mart began
releasing it as blind-box collectables in 2019. The toys are often sold in
these blind-boxes, where people don’t know what make they’ve bought until after
opening the box.
The niche designer toy has since spiralled into a multi billion-dollar
obsession. Plushies sell out within minutes, fans queue for hours, and rare
editions like the human-sized mint-green-coloured Labubu have fetched over
A$230,000 at auction.
Labubu isn’t just a toy. It’s a glimpse of how China’s long-awaited soft power
is beginning to take shape in unexpected ways."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics