Social media trends are like a virus; no matter how much time you try to avoid them, at one point, they will get to you. I am not sure if you heard about Labubu or not, but today I am gonna share how the Labubu trend got me. I never call myself a collector even though I like to collect fridge magnets, keychains. When I was a kid, I used to collect stickers, stamps, and Barbies. But later, somehow, I never thought to collect something desperately. For me, the meaning of life is so different now, and my taste of finding happiness kinda changed as well over time.
I heard about Labubu recently when I was doing my studies in Business. When I was learning about branding, the Labubu topic had arrived, and how it created a huge trend in the market. So, I had to check what Labubu is, who was using it, who the consumers are, and how it reached the current level. Of course, social media followed the algorithm, and then constantly labubu started coming on my social media. That's how I got to know about PopMart (Chinese toy company), whose revenue drastically increased in 2023-2025.
Popmart was always famous among the GenZ generation who like to collect figures and plush toys. But when Popmart introduced Labubu, the sales became sky rocket. So, what is Labubu?? It's an ugly (cute) monster elf who was designed by Hong Kong-Dutch designer Kasing Lung in 2015 (if I am not wrong). Then Labubu was marketed and sold solely by Popmart. Interesting back story, but I was actually convinced by the marketing strategy of Popmart selling Labubus. Introducing blind boxes, limited supply, marketing strategy, and mysterious findings made Labubu popular worldwide. It is always sold-out out everywhere. Celebrities like Rihanna, Lisa Blackpink, Dua Lipa, and many more own Labubus (those ugly, cute monsters).
Still, I was not convinced to own a Labubu. But like I mentioned earlier, at some point, social media gets to you, so eventually the social media trend got me, and somehow I felt I needed a Labubu Keychain. I saw Labubu in person on someone's bag; Labubu was hanging beautifully while holding a Cola, and that charm got me. In the Netherlands, we have only one Popmart in Amsterdam. The original Labubu resale price is always skyrocketing, and the whole market is full of fake Labubus. Those fake ones are called Lafufu. So, to find the Labubu (if I am lucky), I went to Popmart in Amsterdam last Thursday.
The weather was a nice sunny summer, and likewise, Amsterdam was crowded, full of tourists. I have been to AMS tons of times, so my direct destination was Popmart. The Popmart store is located near Dam Square, Amsterdam Central. Only a 15-20 minute walk from the station.
It might sound crazy, but I really wanted to add a Labubu to my keychain collection and wanted to feel the pride of owning a Labubu.
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When I reached Popmart, I saw a regular queue of people waiting to go inside the shop. I was expecting a long queue, and to my surprise, the waiting line was not that long. So, what's going on!!! So, when I went inside, I came to know they were not selling Labubu's in store, and of course, online it's sold out. So, in the Netherlands, if you wanna purchase Labubu, you need to know the release date and purchase Popmart online. If you are lucky, you will get and if you are not, then the only option is to find an authentic reseller.
It's fine, no Labubu for me today, but I didn't let my interest be limited to Labubu. So, I made my mind open and started looking at the Skull Panda blind box.
Skullpanda is an art designer Toys And happens to be the director of North Studio. His character Skullpanda, a symbiote living in a dark, empty, endless and traveling planet in planet, is quickly appreciated by the community.
What I loved about Skull Panda was the details of the design. Even though some might find it similar to a doll figure but I find it very unique. So, I instantly picked up 2 blind boxes because it was also selling quickly. I will show later what I got...
Popmart only had SkullPanda keychain blindboxes. They were selling mostly figures like Labubu, Arcane, Spy Family, Molly, and Dimoo. I am not a figure collector, so I just watched. I find figure collection is a very niche hobby, and to my surprise, I saw people of different ages were buying the figures. Must be popular among different generations...
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I opened the Winter Symphony edition box and got "Song of snow". It's not rare one but not a bad one after all. I wanted Rhapsody, but my luck was not exclusive. Whatever I got, it looked cute and perfect match with my character because I like snow. I haven't opened another box yet. The urge to buy another box to get the desired keychain figure is real, and I felt that. I now understand why people bought so many Labubu blind boxes to get the rare one. I held my urges and stayed happy with what I got.
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Not sure how to express my feelings, but I was kind of happy with my new Skull Panda. Somehow, this silly little keychain made me excited, made me happy. I look at it whenever I want to, and I carry her everywhere with my bag. She makes my inexpensive bag look gorgeous, unique.
Last but not least, I am going to share my Lafufu. I got Lafufu from a local store because I didn't find an authentic reseller yet. To make my Lafufu look gorgeous, I got some clothes from AliExpress for her. My next target is to replicate my entire personality in a Labubu and carry it everywhere. Funny, isn't it?? Childish, isn't it?? But this childish hobby makes me happy...
P.S - Can't believe I wrote this post 🤣
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Priyan...
I am @priyanarc.... An architect, a dreamer, and a passionate writer who loves to write about life. I try to present my own perspective and experiences. Please leave your feedback and criticism because it's the only way I can know and reach your mind and thoughts easily...
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