BLACKPINK’s Lisa and the Labubu Effect: How a Tiny Bag Charm Went Global (and How to Style Yours)
What is Labubu—and why now?
Labubu is part of The Monsters universe by artist Kasing Lung. Since partnering with Pop Mart in 2019, the character moved from art-toy circles into global retail via blind boxes, limited drops, and immersive stores. The visual recipe—wide eyes, pointy ears, a mischievous grin—hits the “ugly-cute” sweet spot that thrives on short-form video. In other words: highly recognizable, highly meme-able, highly wearable.
The Lisa Effect: from quiet Stories to a global fashion signal
In April 2024, Blackpink Lisa quietly posted a Pop Mart unboxing in her Stories and has since been repeatedly associated with Labubu bag charms. For fans and the fashion press, that was the ignition point. Lisa’s looks showed how a plush charm can soften hard-edged luxury, or inject playful contrast into streetwear—an aesthetic grammar that anyone can copy for the price of a charm.
Why did it stick? Because Lisa sits at the intersection of global fandom and practical styling: a small accessory with outsized personality and camera-ready appeal. The Washington Post captured the phenomenon as Labubu charms started appearing on everything from designer handbags to belts, making the jump from “toy” to wearable cultural emoji.
Beyond Lisa: the celebrity cascade
Lady Gaga turned heads with a one-of-a-kind, black-and-red custom Labubu by designer Marko Monroe, clipped to a black Hermès Kelly—proof that the micro-talisman can carry genuine couture energy.
(Pic: LadyGaga Custom black-and-red Labubu inspired by tour looks on Hermès Kelly)
David Beckham showed a Labubu gifted by daughter Harper, widening the audience beyond “it-girls” and into sport-and-style culture.
(Pic: Harper gifted her dad a Labubu charm)
Rihanna and Dua Lipa were name-checked by Vogue Arabia for pink and grey Labubu pairings—evidence that the charm plays well with maximalist “bag candy.”
(Pic: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)
Add it up and you get a repeatable formula: limited drop → celeb sighting → short-video amplification → offline lines and sell-outs. People magazine and the Post both map that cycle clearly.
(Pic: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)
A business & culture inflection point
Pop Mart’s selection to the TIME100 Most Influential Companies (2025) validates the engine behind the hype: global stores, high-velocity launches, and a retail model built for UGC. The company’s “ugly-cute” IP strategy extends beyond toys into experiences—exactly the kind of flywheel that can sustain a micro-accessory fad long enough to become a wardrobe habit.
Style like Lisa: three easy formulas
Sweet-tough contrast (Lisa’s go-to): Pair a pastel or soft-tone Labubu with a structured, dark or hardware-heavy bag. Instant tension, minimal effort.
Monochrome pop: A grey/ivory Labubu on a clean tote or woven bag reads elevated without skewing childish; the plush texture becomes the focal point.
Tour-look homage (Gaga-coded): Use performance colors (black-red, metallics) in the charm or its outfit to echo your day’s palette.
(Photo: Backgrid)
Want the look?
We make BLACKPINK-fashion-inspired handmade outfits for Labubu—tailored for bag-charm styling or shelf display.
Fan-made creation; not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by POP MART, YG, or BLACKPINK.
Authenticity matters: how to avoid “Lafufu”
Use Pop Mart’s official check. Scan the Box Label or Wash Label QR code with your phone or browser to reach Pop Mart’s verification page; follow the on-screen steps.
Safer channels. Prefer official stores or trusted retailers; be wary of unusually low prices or “too-perfect” bulk offers.
Where this goes next
With mainstream features (Washington Post), explainers (People), and corporate validation (TIME100), Labubu looks less like a blip and more like a micro-wearable IP playbook: affordable entry point, high social currency, endless remixing via outfits and customs. For brands and fans alike, the lesson is the same—small objects, big storytelling.
At Kingdom Collectives, we stitch K-POP Fashion stage vibes into handmade Labubu outfits—clean lines, careful seams, and silhouettes that style beautifully on a charm or on-shelf.
U.S. free shipping over $89 and worldwide shipping available.
Fan-made; not affiliated with POP MART/BLACKPINK/YG Company/G-Dragon/labels.
Shop BLACKPINK-inspired handmade outfits for Labubu
References
Teen Vogue — “BLACKPINK’s Lisa Found the Cutest Bag Charm at Pop Mart” (Apr 16, 2024).
Teen Vogue
Vogue Arabia — “Why are Labubu Bag Charms Suddenly Everywhere?” (Apr 29, 2025).
Vogue Arabia
People — “What Are Labubu Dolls? All About the Bag Charms Taking Over the Internet (and Hanging Off Celeb Purses!)” (Jul 5, 2025).
People.com
The Washington Post — “Why a sweet, slightly sinister elf named Labubu is inescapable right now” (May 29, 2025).
The Washington Post
TIME — “Pop Mart: 2025 TIME100 Most Influential Companies” (Jun 26, 2025).
TIME
HELLO! Magazine — “David Beckham’s stylish Labubu bag charm is bang on trend for SS25” & “See the incredible gift Harper Beckham gave dad David” (May 22, 2025).