There's a new trend in the world of fashion that has raised some eyebrows and wreaked total chaos on the high street.
It's one for the fashionistas out there, as you'll probably have noticed the same addition people are making to their bags.
You'd think a fancy-looking purse with a 'wow-factor' name slapped across the front of it would be enough to turn heads, but according to those clued up on all things trendy, you need more than that.
Thanks to the influence of social media and certain celebrities in particular, something called Labubu dolls have become some of the most popular and sought-after items in the world.
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It sounds unbelievable, but Pop Mart, the manufacturer of the toys, has even been forced to pull them from shops in the UK.
What are Labubus?
They're toys, but something sets them apart from the competition.
Similar to the likes of Kaws figures and Bearbricks, which are toy-like figures that also sell for eye-watering amounts, Labubus are small, fluffy, teddybear 'monsters'.
People with their own Labubus often hook them on to their bags, and they act as a fashion accessory or 'bag charm'.
The toys were first dreamt up by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, with Pop Mart responsible for producing them worldwide.
But the way they're sold also makes them more appealing, as Labubus come in 'blind boxes', meaning you can't actually see inside them when you buy the box and what you get is a surprise.
It basically means that the Labubu you bag could be worth a tenner, or up to four figures.
Why are Labubus so popular now?
While they do sound cute and trendy, there's still questions over how they exploded in popularity seemingly overnight.
The answer, as it usually is nowadays, is to do with celebrities.
The likes of Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and even Central Cee haven't been shy in publicly showing their liking for the viral toys, and while people like to follow trends set by bigger names, the other benefit here is how much some Labubus are worth.
Some people aren't even fans, and would rather buy the toys in the hope of finding a rare one to flip and sell for double or triple its actual worth.
In fact, some have been seen pushing four figures on resale sites such as StockX.
Reports have come out of the US, claiming that some overly-eager fans have been breaking into cars to steal these toys, with others buying protective cases for their dolls.
Why have Labubu sales been suspended in some stores?
The key charms have been pulled from shop shelves and websites following fights between customers and overall high demand which has seen lengthy queues forming in the hopes of people getting their hands on one.
Pop Mart UK released a statement over the decision, saying: “Due to the increasing demand for our beloved Labubus, we’ve seen a significant rise in customer turnout. To ensure the safety and comfort of everyone, we will temporarily pause all in-store and Roboshop sales.”
Chaos swept the streets of Soho in London recently, with queues starting at 7.00am on certain days.
But for now, all 16 of Britain's Pop Mart shops have stopped selling the toys due to safety reasons, but the plan is for them to return to shelves soon.
“Labubu will return to physical stores in June, and we are currently working on a new release mechanism that is better structured and more equitable for everyone involved,” a spokesperson further explained.
The most popular Labubu dolls to shop now
'The Monsters' Tasty Macarons Green Grape Vinyl Plush Pendant
'The Monsters' Coca-Cola Series Figure
'The Monsters' Have a Seat Vinyl Plush Blind Box
'The Monsters' Exciting Macaron Vinyl Face Blind Box Set
'The Monsters' I Found You Vinyl Face Doll
'The Monsters' Big into Energy Series-Vinyl Plush Pendant Blind Box
Topics: Fashion, Viral, Social Media, Celebrity
Joshua Nair