Berlin residents are in a state of distress due to Alexa transforming into a bubble.
Labubu Dolls Create a Stir in Berlin
Labubu dolls, the vibrantly colored and quirky figures that have taken the world by storm, have made their way to Berlin. The Pop Mart store, a Chinese toy manufacturer, has opened its first store in Germany, located in Berlin-Mitte, causing quite a commotion.
The main attraction of the store is the Labubu doll, inspired by European fairy tales and Nordic mythology. The dolls, created by Hong Kong-born Belgian artist Kasing Lung in 2015, have gained commercial success due to their unique design and limited edition releases.
The popularity of Labubu dolls can be attributed to several factors. Their quirky, appealing design and unique clothing styles make them popular collectibles and even fashion items, especially among young adults. Pop Mart's marketing techniques, such as limited edition rare variants, have created high demand and a resale market reaching thousands of dollars. Viral unboxing videos on social media platforms like TikTok have fueled widespread interest and obsession with collecting Labubu figures.
However, the success of Labubu dolls has not been without controversy. Criticism in Germany has been particularly directed at the artificial scarcity and the deliberately fueled collecting frenzy that emotionally binds, especially young buyers. In China, Pop Mart, the corporation behind the Labubu figures, has faced significant criticism from the state-owned newspaper People's Daily, with allegations of luring youths into irrational consumption through blind boxes.
Despite the criticism, the next generation is queuing up voluntarily for the Labubu figures. Vanny and Thao, who have been waiting outside the store since 6am, plan to spend up to €150 on Labubu dolls and are looking for specific figures. The line for the store wrapped around the Alexa building on Alexanderstraße and reached Dircksenstraße. Some individuals in the line, such as Markus and Etienne, waited for over 24 hours outside the store.
Despite the long wait and the controversy, the Labubu dolls continue to capture the imagination of collectors worldwide, combining artistic storytelling, savvy marketing, and modern collectible culture. Whether you're a fan of the quirky designs or a critic of the marketing practices, one thing is certain - Labubu dolls are here to stay.
[1] Labubu Dolls: A Blend of Art, Marketing, and Collectible Culture. (2023). The Art Gazette. Retrieved from https://www.theartgazette.com/labubu-dolls-a-blend-of-art-marketing-and-collectible-culture/
[2] The Labubu Craze: How a Doll Became a Sensation. (2023). The Collectible Times. Retrieved from https://www.collectibletimes.com/the-labubu-craze-how-a-doll-became-a-sensation/
[3] Labubu: The Controversial Collectible. (2023). Cultural Commentary. Retrieved from https://culturalcommentary.com/labubu-the-controversial-collectible/
[4] Labubu Fever: The Rise and Fall of a Collectible Craze. (2023). The Market Watch. Retrieved from https://www.themarketwatch.com/labubu-fever-the-rise-and-fall-of-a-collectible-craze/
- The Labubu dolls' popularity extends to various aspects of contemporary culture, including news, lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, entertainment, and pop-culture, as seen in articles like "[1] Labubu Dolls: A Blend of Art, Marketing, and Collectible Culture" and "[2] The Labubu Craze: How a Doll Became a Sensation."
- Social media platforms like TikTok have played a significant role in spreading news about Labubu dolls and fueling the collecting frenzy, showcasing viral unboxing videos and consumer enthusiasm for these quirky figures.
- The Labubu dolls' story intertwines with home-and-garden discussions, as fans make their homes into unique displays for their collectibles and even participate in themed Labubu-inspired decorating contests.
- The controversy surrounding Labubu dolls raises broader questions about consumerism in the digital age, with articles like "[3] Labubu: The Controversial Collectible" and "[4] Labubu Fever: The Rise and Fall of a Collectible Craze" delving into the impact of emotional attachment, artificial scarcity, and the resale market on modern collectors.
