Dua Lipa, Sharvari, Hilary Duff Are Obsessed with This Cute Labubu Doll
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Pop star Dua Lipa turned heads when she accessorized her handbag with a Labubu doll—striking a perfect blend of rebellious charm and playful elegance that cemented its place in fashion culture.
Hilary Duff, once TV's girl-next-door and now a bona fide fashion muse, was recently seen flaunting a Labubu keychain. Her effortlessly cool outfit, combined with the whimsical add-on, has sparked a style movement among fans looking to recreate her relaxed yet trendy vibe.
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Adding to the list of stylish admirers, Bollywood's rising fashionista Sharvari was photographed with a Labubu charm adorning her sleek Balenciaga bag.
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Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Monsters and memes: Labubu dolls ride China soft-power wave
HighlightsPop Mart's Labubu monster dolls, priced around $40 and sold in blind boxes, have gained international popularity, featuring prominently among celebrities like Rihanna and Cher, and contributing to a positive image of Chinese cultural exports. The rise of Labubu and other Chinese brands is attributed to the influence of social media platforms like TikTok, which have helped shift perceptions of China's image among young Western consumers. Experts suggest that while plush toys alone may not enhance China's political power, they do foster a growing interest in Chinese culture, particularly among younger generations, as evidenced by the enthusiasm for Labubu in various countries. Small, fuzzy and baring sharp teeth, Chinese toymaker Pop Mart 's Labubu monster dolls have taken over the world, drawing excited crowds at international stores and adorning the handbags of celebrities such as Rihanna and Cher. Beijing-based Pop Mart is part of a rising tide of Chinese cultural exports gaining traction abroad, furry ambassadors of a "cool" China even in places associated more with negative public opinion of Beijing such as Europe and North America. Labubus, which typically sell for around $40, are released in limited quantities and sold in "blind boxes", meaning buyers don't know the exact model they will receive. The dolls are "a bit quirky and ugly and very inclusive, so people can relate", interior designer Lucy Shitova told AFP at a Pop Mart store in London, where in-person sales of Labubus have been suspended over fears that fans could turn violent in their quest for the toys. "Now everything goes viral... because of social media. And yes, it's cool. It's different." While neighbouring East Asian countries South Korea and Japan are globally recognised for their high-end fashion, cinema and pop songs, China's heavily censored film and music industry have struggled to attract international audiences, and the country's best-known clothing exporter is fast-fashion website Shein. There have been few success stories of Chinese companies selling upmarket goods under their own brands, faced with stereotypes of cheap and low-quality products. "It has been hard for the world's consumers to perceive China as a brand-creating nation," the University of Maryland's Fan Yang told AFP. Pop Mart has bucked the trend, spawning copycats dubbed by social media users as "lafufus" and detailed YouTube videos on how to verify a doll's authenticity. Brands such as designer womenswear label Shushu/Tong, Shanghai-based Marchen and Beijing-based handbag maker Songmont have also gained recognition abroad over the past few years. "It might just be a matter of time before even more Chinese brands become globally recognisable," Yang said. - TikTok effect - Through viral exports like Labubu, China is "undergoing a soft-power shift where its products and image are increasingly cool among young Westerners," said Allison Malmsten, an analyst at China-based Daxue Consulting. Malmsten said she believed social media could boost China's global image "similar to that of Japan in the 80s to 2010s with Pokemon and Nintendo". Video app TikTok -- designed by China's ByteDance -- paved the way for Labubu's ascent when it became the first Chinese-branded product to be indispensable for young people internationally. Joshua Kurlantzick from the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) told AFP that "TikTok probably played a role in changing consumers' minds about China". TikTok, which is officially blocked within China but still accessible with VPN software, has over one billion users, including what the company says is nearly half of the US population. The app has become a focus of national security fears in the United States, with a proposed ban seeing American TikTok users flock to another Chinese app, Rednote, where they were welcomed as digital "refugees". A conduit for Chinese social media memes and fashion trends, TikTok hosts over 1.7 million videos about Labubu. - Labubumania - Cultural exports can "improve the image of China as a place that has companies that can produce globally attractive goods or services", CFR's Kurlantzick told AFP. "I don't know how much, if at all, this impacts images of China's state or government," he said, pointing to how South Korea's undeniable soft power has not translated into similar levels of political might. While plush toys alone might not translate into actual power, the United States' chaotic global image under the Trump presidency could benefit perceptions of China, the University of Maryland's Yang said. "The connection many make between the seeming decline of US soft power and the potential rise in China's global image may reflect how deeply intertwined the two countries are in the minds of people whose lives are impacted by both simultaneously," she told AFP. At the very least, Labubu's charms appear to be promoting interest in China among the younger generation. "It's like a virus. Everyone just wants it," Kazakhstani mother-of-three Anelya Batalova told AFP at Pop Mart's theme park in Beijing. Qatari Maryam Hammadi, 11, posed for photos in front of a giant Labubu statue. "In our country, they love Labubu," she said. "So, when they realise that the origin of Labubu is in China, they'd like to come to see the different types of Labubu in China."
Economic Times
12 hours ago
- Economic Times
Chinese customs seize 144 Pop Mart Labubu blind boxes at Wuhan Tianhe Airport
Wuhan customs officials seized 144 Labubu 3.0 blind boxes from two inbound passengers at Tianhe Airport. The figures, popular collectibles from Pop Mart, were intended for resale. The passengers chose the 'no declaration' lane and admitted to importing the goods for profit. The items are currently being held by customs Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Wuhan customs detain Pop Mart Labubu figures for suspected resale Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Customs officers at Wuhan Tianhe International Airport confiscated 144 Labubu 3.0 blind boxes collectible figures on June 17, from Pop Mart ( after identifying suspicious items during luggage scans. The incident involved two inbound passengers who used the 'no declaration' channel while arriving on a supervised international to a statement from the official WeChat account 'Customs Release,' customs authorities flagged irregular images in the luggage scans. Upon physical inspection, officials found that both individuals had packed large quantities of Pop Mart dolls, 144 units in total, all belonging to the Labubu 3.0 read: Rs 1.5 crore for a doll? The viral rise of Labubu and the madness behind it The passengers stated that the purpose of importing the Labubu figures was to assist others in bringing them into the country, with the intention to resell them for profit. As of now, the detained items have not been released and are being held in accordance with customs regulations Labubu, a product under the Pop Mart IP brand, has gained massive popularity worldwide, with collectors often queuing overnight to secure blind boxes upon release. The Labubu 3.0 series, in particular, has seen strong demand across Asia, making it a target for cross-border resale. Chinese customs regulations require individuals bringing commercial quantities of goods to declare them upon entry. The 'no declaration' channel is reserved for personal-use items within permitted limits. Failure to disclose commercial quantities may result in confiscation, fines, or further legal Mart continues to experience growth across international markets due to the success of IP figures like Labubu, Dimoo, and Skullpanda. The company has responded to increasing demand by expanding its distribution, though unauthorized resales and grey market imports remain ongoing challenges.
Mint
2 days ago
- Mint
Flex it: This style guide is inspired by ‘protein bros'
It's hard to ignore the world's all-consuming (pun intended) love for protein right now. Everyone's either furiously glugging down protein shakes or drizzling protein powders on everything from icecream to bread. Naturally, this love's now also extending to fashion. The gym bro or protein bro aesthetic – defined by sleeveless tees and shirts (to flaunt those biceps), seamless body hugging tees, thigh skimming shorts ( to show that leg day is working), protein shakers that can seemingly do pretty much everything – is coming into its own and in recent years, the world of haute couture has taken note of it too with labels like Luar, Balenciaga, Bode and Natasha Zinko sending down models in cutaway tees, body hugging leggings, thigh-skimming gym shorts and torso-inspired jackets. Yes, this aesthetic is all about flexing your shapely muscles and rightly so. Treat this round up by Lounge as a ready reckoner on how to embrace the look without sweating it. LEG DAY PREP Let's start with footwear. Gym shoes are meant to be stylish but more than that they ought to be functional to power you through your workout regime – whether that involves running on the treadmill or heavy lifting. Bonus points if it's versatile enough to be worn socially. Balenciaga's 6XL sneakers check all the boxes. What makes these low mesh sneakers made from faux leather more interesting is each shoe is a different colour – while one is black with multi-coloured touches, the other is white and multi-coloured. These sneakers also feature the brand's logo debossed on the tongue. Available on ₹1.03 lakh. Also read: Go royalcore. This style guide shows you how BICEPS FORMULA Been fanatically working your bicep curls? Take a cue from actor Pedro Pascal's recent Cannes look where he showed up in a black sleeveless tee with his in- shape biceps on display for the world to see. Keep it rugged with this charcoal-black sleeveless button-down shirt from Calvin Klein. Cut from cotton-linen denim in a classic silhouette, it comes fitted with a patch pocket on the upper chest. This look is all about exuding confidence with simplicity. Available on ₹6,156. POWER SHAKE Protein shakers may not be able to set all things right in this world but the way gym bros hold on to their bottles would have you thinking otherwise. A coveted gym essential today, there's a lot of thought that goes into picking one. Does it blend protein powders well? Is it leak proof and easy to clean? ShakeSphere's Tumbler Steel model, the metallic version of it's original design (made from specialist plastics and silicone), ticks off all the boxes. Made from steel with copper finish, it comes in a patented capsule-shaped design that uses centrifugal force to blend protein powders and puree fruits. The functional slide cap makes it leak-proof. Available on ₹8,499. SECOND SKIN When you are pumping it in adrenaline-fuelled environs of a gym, comfort clothing becomes top priority. You don't want a bulky t-shirt impeding you as you perform your squats or planks. This explains the popularity of seamless knitted t-shirts these days. This pale blue seamless T-shirt from popular fitness apparel brand Gym Shark's new collection is a good example. Made from physique-enhancing knitted material, it's equipped with one-fourth zipper and body-mapping eyelet details stitched into the fabric to enhance its breathability. Available on ₹11,446. Also read: Clear gels, massage boots, sleep masks, here's hi-tech gear for quick recovery X-RAY VISION The protien chic aesthetic is about celebrating the human form, whether as moulded breast plates or prints. Jean Paul Gaultier short red tulle dress made from polyamide comes in a tight fit and features the 'squeletor" print, lending the illusion that you've transposed a full-body X-ray across your dress. Strangely alluring. Available on ₹44,736. LOCKER PACK Your gym ensemble is incomplete without a bag that's equipped to hold all your workout essentials including a dumbbell even. Anya Hindmarch tote made from smooth ECONYL® comes with pockets labelled for gym essentials – it includes pockets for your earphones, phone, yoga mat, and a pre-workout snack. A bag for all seasons, indeed. Available on ₹1.08 lakh. DON THE SIX-PACK The protein bro or protein chic essence of 'celebrating the human body" comes alive in this Natasha Zinko design. Part of the label's SS2024 collection, this black unisex long-sleeved leather jacket has raised six-pack abs and muscular arms that are inspired by the human torso. Talk about six-pack abs available on demand! Available on ₹1.55 lakh. Also read: If you like minimalist wristwatches, then you should know about the watch inspired by the Bauhaus school of design
