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How Labubu Turned Pop Mart’s Boss into China’s Youngest Millionaire

An extravagant designer plush toy has become the ultimate fashion accessory, with all the trappings for collectors and celebrities alike, but it has also become a billion-dollar business.

Por: Alejandro Carrillo June 16, 2025

What started in 2015 as a small elf-like plush by artist Kasing Lung has evolved into a global sensation under Pop Mart, transforming Labubu into a must-have collectible. With blind-box releases and unique designs, fans clamour at release events that sell out within seconds.

However, Labubu’s evolution from a playful toy to a luxury statement features lavish amenities such as exclusive variations, curated packaging, and fashion collaborations endorsed by celebrities—including Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, David Beckham, and others who showcase Labubu charms dangling from their designer handbags.

Record-Breaking Auctions: Life-Size Labubu Braves the Spotlight

The craze culminated on June 10 when Yongle International Auction in Beijing sold a one-of-a-kind, 1.3-meter Labubu sculpture for approximately $150,000—a record for any blind-box toy. Another life-size version fetched over $130,000, demonstrating how collectible culture is embracing luxe amenities that elevate whimsical art to serious investment.

Thanks to Labubu mania, Pop Mart’s meteoric stock surge—tripling in value—and soaring revenues propelled founder Wang Ning into the ranks of China’s top ten wealthiest, becoming the youngest billionaire in the country.

In 2024 alone, Pop Mart generated $1.8 billion in revenue, with Labubu accounting for some $400 million—an astonishing 726% increase over the previous year. That financial growth mirrors the plush’s rise in status: once a simple toy, now a symbol of luxe amenities and modern collector culture.

Pop Culture’s Plush Icon

Viral TikTok #Labubu videos—ranging from unboxings to custom outfits—grab millions of views and drive international demand. In Mexico, street style influencers have turned it into a fashion statement; in London, Pop Mart stores battled overcrowding and rare edition snipers. Whether decorating luxury handbags or museum gift shops, Labubu has emerged with luxe amenities that charm adult collectors and elevate a childhood favourite into adult prestige.

Labubu’s success speaks to more than viral appeal—it reveals a potent formula: emotional connection + surprise (blind boxes) + exclusive luxe amenities = cultural and financial phenomenon. It’s a case study in how a quirky plush can influence markets, create celebrity fashion moments, and spark a collectible frenzy.

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In the end, this isn’t just a story about a toy—it’s about turning kawaii into capital, charm into commerce, and blind-box packaging into billion-dollar empires.

Key Information

How did Labubu’s auction-set record price? A 1.3 m life-size Labubu sculpture sold for around $150,000 at a Beijing auction.
Who is Pop Mart’s founder and why is he significant? Wang Ning became China’s youngest billionaire thanks to Labubu’s success and Pop Mart’s booming sales. condimentum faucibus scelerisque. Maecenas lacinia massa ut lectus blandit blandit.
Which celebrities have been spotted with Labubu? Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, David Beckham, Dua Lipa, Lisa (Blackpink), among others.
What collects value in Labubu beyond nostalgia? The surprise blind-box format, exclusive variants, luxe amenities, and viral pop-cultural visibility fuel its collectible worth.

How Labubu Turned Pop Mart’s Boss into China’s Youngest Millionaire

Record-Breaking Auctions: Life-Size Labubu Braves the Spotlight

Pop Culture’s Plush Icon

Key Information

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