Recently, famous fashion magazines Vogue Italia and Teen Vogue have highlighted the important role of singer Lisa (Blackpink) in popularising Labubu stuffed toys, creating a wave of Labubu hunting around the world and making this toy a popular accessory and decoration.
Labubu is a stuffed character created by Chinese artist Kasing Lung in 2015, owned by Pop Mart.
According to Teen Vogue, the Labubu fever started in Asia and quickly became popular around the world thanks to celebrities taking them everywhere.
In particular, Lisa (Blackpink) brought Labubu her first wave of popularity more than a year ago, when she put a Labubu wearing a farmer's costume in her handbag.
Her regular appearances with Labubu-themed goods and accessories in social media posts, live performances and fan events have captivated the hearts of millions of people.
The rise of Labubu stuffed toys is largely due to a post by Lisa Blackpink in early 2024, said Kevin Zhang, director of strategic partnerships at Pop Mart International, a Labubu producer.
Initially, it became an online meme, followed by a shopping fever in Thailand, where many celebrities and local KOLs are hunting for collections.
It has also spread to other famous figures, including the Thai royal family. This trend is gradually expanding in Southeast Asia, eventually spreading to the West.
In an interview with Teen Vogue, when Lisa expressed her love for Labubu, her co-star in the movie The White Lotus 3 Tayme Thapthimthong also said that Lisa was the one who helped the toy explode.
According to Vogue Italia, Lisa's influence extends beyond the scope of music, seamlessly connecting fashion, popular culture and collectibles. The magazine praised the Thai star's " instinctive ability to discover and amplify street trends".
Lisa has turned Labubu from a street item into an international phenomenon welcomed by fans and those in the fashion industry.
Similarly, Teen Vogue emphasized Lisa's role in shaping global youth culture, noting that her enthusiastic promotion of Labubu stuffed animals has prompted the entire wave of fans to cross national and age groups.
Teen Vogue wrote that Lisa's participation has elevated Labubu to a symbol of youthful creativity and cheerful self-expression.
Industry analysts note that Lisa's support for Labubu has brought significant commercial success to the brand and its creators.
Sales of Labubu-related products have skyrocketed, and this stuffed toy is now in the forefront of the global list of popular cultural goods.
More importantly, the popularity of Labubu through Lisa highlights the growing influence of Kpop idols in shaping consumer trends and cultural trends around the world.
