Labubu, a limited edition figurine created in collaboration with the Hong Kong–born artist Kasing Lung, has become the hottest item at Art Basel 2025. The small monster toy, modeled after Lung’s viral “Labubu” character, was released in the fair’s signature blue and features a mischievous grin and a spirit level in its hand—a nod to the art world’s focus on precision hanging. Only 100 pieces were produced and were being sold at the Art Basel Shop for CHF 200 ($245) before selling out this morning.
Roughly half of the figurines were released when the shop opened on Monday, June 16th, and quickly sold out. The remaining stock was released during Art Basel’s first VIP day on June 17th, and “Is there anyone here who does NOT want a Labubu?” shouted a staff member to the growing line outside the store. (Only a few raised their hands.)
According to one attendee, listings for the Art Basel Labubu appeared on a Chinese resale site as early as Monday afternoon, with at least one reportedly posted for around €1,500 ($1,733). The Art Basel Shop limited purchases to two per person in an attempt to control bulk buying and reselling. The figures were made available exclusively to in-person fairgoers.
The collectible characters have surged in popularity among Gen Z audiences, who frequently attach smaller versions of the monsters to handbags as plush purse charms. Lung’s original series has built a dedicated international fan base. One Chinese collector who bought an Art Basel Labubu reported that she owns about 30 and has been acquiring them for the past eight years.
Last week, a rare Labubu doll sold for ¥1.08 million ($150,552) at Yongle International Auction House in Beijing, setting an auction record for the figurines. The first generation collectible was a mint-green version with sharp teeth. The toys, manufactured by Chinese toy company Pop Mart, have been endorsed and championed by stars such as Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Blackpink’s Lisa, fueling the international craze.
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