Hey everyone! There are always collectible product-related trends falling in and out of popularity (see Beanie Babies, Webkinz, Sonny Angels, Air Jordans, and--of course--Pokémon cards), and each one tends to bring with it different predictable sub-trends.
Pokémon cards gave life to many a booster-pack-opening influencer account, while successfully dealing in Sneakerhead merchandise granted at least a few savvy traders the credibility to start boutique fashion outlets.
The relatively low price of labubus combined with the prevalent DIY/thrift store aesthetic of their fans (mostly Gen Z) seems to lend itself to a desire for customization (a stark difference from, for example, the Pokémon cards; no one wants to draw on their cards to ruin a PSA 10! Yet, a friend of mine told me that her tattoo artist is now offering a “matching labubu tattoo” package for any client that wants to bring a doll to get matching ink 😆). When a collectible is popular but supply isn’t restricted, people itch for a way to make theirs, theirs. How about providing a service to satisfy that “personal touch” impulse here?
The Trends:
Labubus have been on-trend ever since K-pop group Blackpink’s Lisa was spotted with one in 2024
A lot of the excitement fans have around them is from their “blind-box” distribution method– customers don’t know which doll they’ll receive
Blind-box fandoms love customizing and outfit swapping
Short-run, limited drops have worked amazingly for fashion-adjacent products in the past (e.g. sneakerhead brands like Supreme, etc)
Your Answer:
Mini streetwear capsules (hoodies, varsity, totes) compatible with labubus that have modular pieces (with snaps/magnets)
After a while, maybe start selling clothes in blind boxes as well?
Community-voted designs and collabs with indie artists (no unlicensed IP and great opportunities for cross-promotion)
Promote with an influencer marketing campaign
Your Roadmap:
Design with inspiration from on trending Instagram and Tiktok posts, accounts
Sew or 3D print items yourself to start out
Sell from an Etsy or Shopify store
Promote with influencers popular in the space
Once revenue starts to come in, work with suppliers on Alibaba to produce cheaply and at scale