Bizarre twist to Labubu craze sweeping Australia

The latest craze sweeping the country has taken a step towards the bizarre, with Aussies now paying to get their Labubus professionally tattooed.

The Labubu, a furry plushie featuring a bizarre grin and sharp teeth, has taken Australia and the world by storm.

Designed by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, the product is sold by Chinese toy company Pop Mart following a collaboration with Lung on his story series book The Monsters, released in 2015.

While the Labubu hit the market in Asia in 2019, the slightly scary-looking plushie only took off after Blackpink’s Lisa, a popular K-pop singer, was spotted with a $32 keychain version of the doll attached to her handbag in April 2024.

And in just 12 months, the whole world has become hooked.

Massive queues have been spotted outside stores as customers clamber to get their hands of the gremlin-looking item.

Customers have also been buying tiny outfits for the toys.

And now, collectors have taken the trend further by personalising the toys, with some paying for professional tattoo artists to add facial designs.

On Tuesday night a Sydney tattoo artist was working on two Labubu toys, adding intricate designs to the face of the monster, each tattoo costing $25.

Would you pay to get your Labubu tattooed?

And she is not alone.

A tattoo studio in Parramatta has put a call out to customers wishing to personalise their toys.

“Your collection is not complete without a Labubu tattoo. Calling all Labubu lovers!

“Get your Labubu tattooed today,” the post read.

What is a Labubu?

The small, bunny-like toys with a doll’s face are sold via “blind boxes”, meaning customers don’t know which style they’ve secured.

The demand has led to huge lines forming outside stores before they even open.

Re-sellers are cashing in big time, with some Labubus selling online for more than $100.