There's no escaping the Labubu craze. The viral plush toys are taking over social media feeds and selling out in shops around the world, with a mostly-female fanbase aged from five to 35. On online marketplace StockX, the $28 toys are being resold for as much as $880, with some limited-edition pieces going for $2,500.
What are Labubus?
Labubus are collectable plush toys also sold as keychains or bag charms. They were created as a series called The Monsters by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung who drew inspiration from Nordic mythology. Labubus are one of many tribes under The Monsters series, which also includes the Zimomo and Tycoco characters.
Characterised by their cheeky grins, sharp teeth, furry bodies and pointed ears, Labubus come in a multitude of colours, with some hues rarer than others. All Labubus are female.
“They’re kindhearted, but sometimes, as they go about spreading joy, they get into well-intentioned trouble,” Emily Brough, head of licensing at Pop Mart North America told The New York Times. “It’s never malicious.”
Why are they so popular?
First released in 2015 as a children's book series, Labubus began to gain popularity after Chinese toy company Pop Mart started selling them as plush toys in their stores worldwide in 2019. The most popular Labubu keyrings were released in 2023.
They became a viral sensation when Lisa from K-pop group Blackpink was photographed with a Labubu charm attached to her bag. Labubus have since been spotted on a number of celebrities, from Rihanna to Dua Lipa and Emma Roberts.
The latest collection of Labubus were released on April 25, and sold out within minutes.
An entire sub-market has also emerged online, with businesses selling everything from tiny outfits and accessories to car seats and mini hand bags designed for Labubus.
What is the appeal?
Labubus are sold in blind boxes, meaning customers do not know which colour or type they have bought until they tear open the packaging. This element of surprise, as well as Gen Z's obsession with unboxing things, has only increased the Lububus' appeal. Some customers buy multiple boxes to try to collect characters or colours they don't own yet.
Where to buy Labubus in the Middle East
Pop Mart does not have any stores in the Middle East, but Labubus are available through a number of retailers.
At The Little Things, which has branches in Mall of the Emirates and Bluewaters Island in Dubai, they retail for Dh79 a piece. When The National called the store on Thursday afternoon, a shop assistant said they had sold out for the day, but a new batch of Labubus would be available on Friday. Fans will have to rush as the day's batch usually sells out in 15 minutes, as customers queue up outside the stores before they open at 10am.
Mad Kicks, which has branches in Bluewaters Island and Box Park in Dubai, as well as Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi, sells collectible Labubus, starting at Dh300.
Delivery app Deliveroo is also getting in on the game, hosting daily drops in collaboration with consignment store Youbetterfly. Every day at 4pm, fans can order a single box starting at Dh280 or six-pack boxes. The price is inclusive of delivery charges.
Online store Osloop, which specialises in rare trainers and collectibles, is also selling a range of Labubus, including a limited-edition Labubu-Vans collaboration for Dh13,658.
Top seller for Pop Mart
Last year, Pop Mart reported $1.8 billion in revenue, more than 100 per cent up from the previous year. The success of Labubus contributed about $400 million, according to Bloomberg.
Earlier this month, an investor made $97 million by selling his Pop Mart stock.
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The design
The protective shell is covered in solar panels to make use of light and produce energy. This will drastically reduce energy loss.
More than 80 per cent of the energy consumed by the French pavilion will be produced by the sun.
The architecture will control light sources to provide a highly insulated and airtight building.
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1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
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Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
