By Samantha Sandow
Meet the mischievous collectible keychain turning fashion’s most serious bags into playgrounds of personality.
If you’ve noticed a tiny, wild-eyed gremlin dangling from the arms of street-style stars and “It” girls alike this summer, don’t panic. That’s not just any oddball accessory—it’s a Labubu. And yes, it’s supposed to look like that.
Born from the fever-dream imagination of Hong Kong–born artist Kasing Lung and toy company Pop Mart, Labubu is part mischief-maker, part fashion mascot. With its pointy ears, jagged teeth, and an expression that says, “I just crawled out of your childhood nightmares,” the impish creature has become one of 2025’s most unexpected and oddly beloved accessories. And we’re not mad about it.
Originally a collectible art toy, Labubus have exploded beyond niche figurine culture and straight into the front row. Think: Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Hermès Birkin bags featuring a mischievous Labubu keychain bouncing along as if it were designed to be there. Celebs from veteran superstars Cher and Madonna to current stars Dua Lipa and BLACKPINK’s Lisa have been spotted styling theirs, with some fans even designing custom outfits and accessories to give their Labubus a streetwear edge.
Part of the appeal? Each Labubu figure feels like a game of chance. There are dozens of editions, including animal-inspired Labubus, Halloween Labubus, and even a Coca-Cola collaboration. Most are sold in blind boxes, meaning you won’t know which mischievous creature you’ve scored until you open it.
Collectors are already treating rare Labubus like designer drops you can cuddle. With limited releases selling out in minutes and resellers hiking prices into the hundreds, the toy’s cult status holds firm. Whether you’re in it for the street cred or simply because it’s oddly adorable, Labubu isn’t going anywhere this fall.
So next time you see a chic New Yorker with a mischievous monster on her Hermès, you’ll know it’s not a mistake. It’s fashion.
