A life-sized Labubu doll has sold for an astonishing 1.08 million yuan (approximately $150,000) at a recent auction in Beijing, setting a new world record for toys of its kind.
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Standing at 131 cm (4 ft 4 in), the oversized figure was auctioned at Yongle International Auction House, drawing significant attention from collectors and fans of designer toys.
Labubu is a quirky monster character created over a decade ago by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. Distributed by Chinese toy giant Pop Mart, standard Labubu figures typically retail for just around 50 yuan (about $7).
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This auction, entirely dedicated to Labubu, featured 48 items and attracted a crowd of around 200 bidders. The event raised a total of 3.37 million yuan in sales.
The popularity of Labubu has skyrocketed in recent years, largely thanks to social media. The dolls have appeared in posts by global celebrities including Blackpink’s Lisa, Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and even former football star David Beckham, who was spotted with a Labubu toy attached to his bag.
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Labubu toys also became a viral sensation on TikTok and are often sold in mystery "blind boxes," adding to their collectible appeal.
Due to overwhelming demand and reports of in-store chaos, Pop Mart temporarily pulled the dolls from UK shelves earlier this year.
Nonetheless, Labubu remains a cultural phenomenon. Pop Mart’s revenue soared to 13 billion yuan in 2024—more than double the previous year—while the company expanded internationally, opening stores in five new countries, including Italy and Spain.
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From a niche collectible to a global trend, Labubu continues to redefine what it means to be a designer toy in the modern age.