Labubu doll craze: Why UAE shoppers are going wild over these 'ugly' monsters

Dolls with glossy hair, high heels, doe eyes, and a sweet smile are so passe. Gen-Zs are shaking things up and ditching the cliche: Make way for the latest trend, the Labubu dolls.

What is the Labubu doll? This weird, wild misfit is breaking the internet and taking the spotlight.

As an uninformed spectator, I was initially puzzled by the flood of social media posts featuring what appeared to be just another cute monster-looking toy. But my curiosity piqued when I saw an unending line of eager shoppers waiting to get their hands on one. So, why are UAE consumers obsessed with these dolls?

For Salma Atta, an Egyptian expat in Sharjah, what sets the doll apart is its "creepiness or maybe the ugliness." While most dolls are conventionally cute, "their expressive faces and wide grins set them apart from other collectible dolls," she said.

The monster-like doll was created by Hong Kong-born, Netherlands-raised illustrator Kasing Lung, who drew inspiration from folklore to create a Nordic fairy tale picture book series, called The Monsters. Among the many monsters that inhabit Lung's fictional world, Labubu is the star. With a devilish smile, the Labubus, who are all female, play harmless pranks. Even though she creates chaos, Labubu is kind-hearted and has good intentions.

Kasing Lung, the creator of Labubu dolls

So, what's all the hype about?

Zaina Harb, a UAE-based content creator, thinks the sudden craze around the doll has to do with curiosity. "It's a bit scary, like a monster, so people don't get the hype." This might lead more people to check Labubus merely to see how others can like an "ugly" doll.

The expat added that while she likes bag charms, the doll doesn't appeal to her. "I like classic and timeless things; this is just a trend. [If I bought it], after a year or so, I would question myself and the hype around it," she explained.

For some Labubu fans, the doll caught their eye when their favourite celebrities were spotted with one. "Blackpink's Lisa and Rihanna bought Labubu," said 16-year-old Lakshmi M, a Sharjah-based Indian expat, who is also an avid K-pop fan. "Lisa even talked about it in an interview," Lakshmi added.

A Labubu doll

People don’t just buy them because they are cute; the appeal also lies in the “blind box” experience, Lakshmi explained.

Now, what is a blind box?

As the name suggests, it’s all about surprise. When you buy a Labubu doll, the box doesn’t reveal which design or colour you will get. You don’t choose the Labubu; the Labubu chooses you.

It’s a smart retail tactic, and it clearly works.

“Blind boxes are so much fun to open, I love the excitement,” said Salma. “If I wanted a specific Labubu, I would just keep buying boxes until I got the one I wanted.”

Labubu dolls in blind boxes

However, with prices up to Dh350 on authorised websites, not everyone is willing to spend so much on the doll.

For Meher, a Dubai-based expat, the monster slipped right out of her hands as she 'held back from buying it'. "I nearly bought one from the winter pop-up at the Museum of The Future, a stall was selling it at a discounted price." But after shopping quite a bit that day, even at a lower price, the doll was a "little expensive for a cutesy little charm," she said.

If you are not keen on dropping Dh350 for a Labubus, there is always Lafufus. These lookalike alternatives, essentially dupes or near-identical fakes, have become the go-to for those skipping the splurge.

UAE-based influencer Narihan Azab spotted them early, picking up keychain-sized Lafufus from a street vendor in Malaysia before the craze took off.

The content creator said, "I don't like to queue for anything; so, I'm okay with my Lafufus for now."

Labubu doll charms

Laraib, a UAE-based Indian resident, who likes the "unhinged look on cute small objects" said, however, it would be a good collectible to get a matching pair of with friends, she would still not consider buying the original one because of the expense, and is looking for a "good dupe" instead.

Whether it is the quirky monster grin or the thrill of the blind box, the weird-looking Labubu has captured the hearts of Gen-Zs — at least until the next big trend.