All dolled up!

Labubu mania has reached Bahrain’s shores, with fans and collectors across ages tapping into the viral trend. So, what is it about the ubiquitous monster doll that makes it so covetable? Read on to find out.

For the uninitiated, Labubu is a plush toy and figurine, which is part of ‘The Monsters’ series created by Hong Kong-based artist Kasing Lung.

Based on Nordic mythology, it is known for its playful, mischievous nature, has a vinyl face and no tail. Some would even say it flaunts an eerie smile that is hard to miss. Other characters in the universe include Zimomo, Tycoco, Spooky and Pato.

Introduced 10 years ago as part of a picture book series, the doll gained popularity after Pop Mart started selling it in 2019; the key ring accessory is available on their official website for more than $100 a pop.

A selection of online and physical stores in Bahrain are also selling the toy and limited editions of it – the original ones are priced between BD18 and more than BD25 a piece, while the knock-offs can be purchased for as less as BD1.500.

It will also be available at the Bahrain Summer Toy Festival being staged at Exhibition World Bahrain, Sakhir, until August 5.

Recently, social media influencers have been opening the mystery boxes they come in online, promoting the Exciting Macaron range as a handbag accessory, further boosting the doll’s rise to global fame and marking its entry into the world of fashion.

Some celebrities who have been spotted with the toy dangling on their handbag are the Grammy Award-winning Rihanna, American socialite Kim Kardashian, Grammy and Brit Awards-winning Dua Lipa and Bollywood Gen Z heartthrob Ananya Panday.

With the trend sweeping across the Gulf, digital influencers and well-known personalities in the region have also posted their love for Labubu on their social media pages.

Arab beauty brand owner Huda Kattan, who founded Huda Beauty, also unboxed a Labubu on her TikTok page and, most recently, posted a reel of herself eating a ‘Labubu Dubai chocolate’, while putting the longevity of one of her lip products to the test.

Bahraini collector Samar Busheri, who has been collecting vintage dolls and has an online store for Labubus, observed that the trend started in Kuwait. Bahrain caught on around two months ago.

“Adults and children in Bahrain are buying Labubus now but this trend is an old one – I got mine three years ago,” the graffiti artist from Manama told GulfWeekly.

“The adults who buy for themselves are in the age group of 18 to 40 and others buy it to make their children happy,” she added.

Bahraini mother-of-one Maryam Husain believes that Labubus are a harmless little joy, and there’s nothing wrong with children getting excited about it.

“But it’s also a good chance to remind them that happiness isn’t about buying things or always wanting more,” the 38-year-old added.

Bahrain-based Russian expatriate and artist Alexandra Novik-Khamis believes that Labubus’ ‘odd and slightly creepy but cute’ appearance makes them highly shareable on social media.

“There is the element of exclusivity, making it a collectable,” she said.

“When certain versions are limited edition or hard to find, it adds to the hype and desire,” added the 36-year-old, who has always loved toys and miniature collectables and, though she is not a big fan of the Labubu character, she owns one and finds the popularity surrounding the toy ‘fascinating’.

Like everything, Labubu also has two sides to the coin, with criticisms surrounding the hype – ‘they’re scary’, ‘they’re too expensive’...

Many have tagged the trend as capitalist and feeding a culture of overconsumption, especially since it is packaged as a blind box, ‘forcing’ buyers to make repeat purchases until they get their desired Labubu.

The fashion world is also divided on the trend, with Sarah Jessica Parker, who is known for her style, especially after playing the lead character in the long-running series Sex and the City, offering an ‘amused’ and ‘bewildered’ look when asked about the ring accessories.

American personality Alexandra Cooper, who hosts the popular podcast Call Her Daddy, asked the celebrity about the trend to which she responded, ‘What is that?’, sparking several debates that question if Labubus as an accessory are ‘sophisticated’ or ‘polished’ enough.