By a Long-Time Labubu Collector & Enthusiast
Every collector reaches a point where they look at their shelf and wonder about the stories behind their treasures. For those of us obsessed with Labubu, that curiosity often leads to one question: what did the old labubu look like before the current craze?
I remember scrolling through a Facebook group last year when someone posted a photo that stopped me cold. It was a Labubu—unmistakably her—but different. Softer somehow. Her expression held a slightly different mischief, and the materials felt... older. The comments exploded. "Is that real?" "Where can I find one?" "That's the vintage labubu doll I've been searching for!"
The hunt for old labubu has become a passion within the passion. In this deep dive, we'll explore the origins, evolution, and enduring appeal of the Labubus that started it all.
The Origins of Labubu
The Creation of the Vintage Labubu Doll
To understand old labubu, we have to go back to the beginning. Labubu was born from the imagination of Kasing Lung, a Hong Kong-based artist who drew inspiration from the Nordic folklore he encountered while living in Europe as a child. The monsters in those stories weren't always terrifying—sometimes they were mischievous, lonely, or misunderstood.
Lung began illustrating these characters in the 1990s, but it wasn't until 2015 that Labubu truly found her form. The earliest commercially available Labubu figures were produced in limited quantities, often as art toys for collectors who frequented designer toy conventions. These vintage labubu doll releases were nothing like the mass-produced blind boxes we see today.
Each figure was crafted with a level of handmade attention that modern collectors crave. The vinyl had a different texture, the paint applications showed subtle variations, and the packaging reflected the indie spirit of the era. These weren't products—they were statements.
Influences on the Design
The labubu back story reveals fascinating influences. Lung has cited characters like the Moomins and the work of Tove Jansson as inspiration, alongside the darker elements of Grimm's fairy tales. This blend of Nordic whimsy and Hong Kong edge gave Labubu her signature look: cute but unsettling, simple but expressive.
Early designs featured sharper lines and a slightly more feral appearance. The ears were pointier, the grin wider, and the eyes held a glint that suggested genuine mischief rather than playful charm. Collectors who own these early pieces often describe them as having more "personality" than their modern counterparts.
Evolution Over the Years
The Backstory of Labubu's Old Design
When Pop Mart acquired the commercial rights to Labubu in 2017, the character underwent a subtle transformation. The company needed designs that could be mass-produced consistently, which meant standardizing features that had previously varied from figure to figure.
The labubu old design featured a more textured fur pattern, deeper-set eyes, and a slightly more elongated body shape. Early adopters noticed these differences immediately. Some welcomed the refinement; others mourned the loss of the raw, handmade quality.
The transition period produced some of the most sought-after pieces in collecting circles. These transitional Labubus—produced in the first year of Pop Mart's involvement—combine the character's original spirit with the manufacturing quality that would define later releases.
Changes in Material and Aesthetics
Material evolution tells its own story. Labubu plush toys from the vintage era used different fabrics than today's versions. The fur was often longer, the stuffing denser, and the overall construction more variable. Each plush felt unique in hand, whereas modern plush toys achieve remarkable consistency across thousands of units.
Aesthetic changes extended to color palettes as well. Early Labubus featured more muted tones, with greens that leaned toward olive rather than the bright, saturated greens of current releases. The signature grin evolved too—slightly less jagged, slightly more approachable in modern versions.
Some collectors argue that old labubu possessed a soul that later versions lost in translation. Others appreciate the refinement that came with professional manufacturing. Regardless of where you stand, the differences are undeniable and fascinating.
Collecting Old Labubu
Limited Edition Labubu Items
The hunt for limited edition labubu items has become increasingly competitive as the fandom grows. Early convention exclusives, artist proofs, and test shots command astronomical prices on secondary markets when they appear at all.
I've watched bidding wars erupt over a single vintage labubu doll from the 2016 DesignerCon. These pieces rarely surface publicly; most change hands quietly between serious collectors who understand their historical significance. The secrecy surrounding these transactions only adds to the mystique.
Some of the most desirable limited edition labubu items include:
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The original "Monsters" series from 2015, featuring hand-painted details and numbering limited to 100 pieces
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Artist proof variants with colorways that never entered mass production
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Early soft vinyl figures with unique manufacturing characteristics
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Promotional pieces distributed at trade shows before Labubu's commercial launch
Tips for Identifying Authentic Vintage Labubu Dolls
If you're hoping to add an old labubu to your collection, proceed with caution. The market is flooded with reproductions and outright fakes. Here's what experienced collectors look for when authenticating vintage pieces.
Materials inspection is your first line of defense. Authentic vintage Labubus use specific vinyl compounds and paints that feel different from modern reproductions. The weight distribution matters too—early figures often have a different balance than current releases.
Markings and signatures provide crucial evidence. Kasing Lung's signature on vintage pieces varies slightly from year to year, and authenticators have documented these variations extensively. The placement of copyright information, production codes, and artist marks all tell part of the story.
Provenance matters enormously. A vintage labubu doll with documented history—photos from its original purchase, receipts from defunct toy stores, or chain of ownership records—commands both higher prices and greater confidence than pieces appearing from unknown sources.
Online communities like Reddit's PopMartCollectors have become invaluable resources for authentication. Members share detailed comparison photos, discuss subtle tells that distinguish authentic vintage pieces from clever fakes, and help newcomers avoid expensive mistakes.
Labubu in Popular Culture
References in Media and Merchandise
Before Labubu became a global phenomenon, she appeared in niche corners of popular culture. Underground music zines featured her image. Independent clothing brands produced limited runs of labubu back designs. Small galleries hosted exhibitions of Kasing Lung's original artwork.
These early cultural touchpoints have become collectible artifacts in their own right. A flyer from a 2014 gallery show featuring early Labubu sketches recently sold for several hundred dollars. T-shirts from defunct streetwear brands featuring old labubu designs trade for similar amounts among dedicated collectors.
Nostalgic Appeal and Fan Communities
Why does old labubu hold such power over collectors? The answer lies in nostalgia and authenticity. Early adopters remember discovering Labubu in small boutiques and convention halls, before she adorned the handbags of celebrities and filled Instagram feeds worldwide.
Social media has amplified this nostalgia. TikTok creators like ryanthomasroth and csapunch regularly feature vintage Labubu content, introducing newer collectors to the character's history while triggering waves of nostalgia among those who were there from the beginning. These videos often spark heated comment sections where collectors debate the merits of different eras and share memories of their first Labubu encounters.
Facebook groups dedicated to Labubu collecting have become digital museums. Members post photos of vintage labubu doll acquisitions, share restoration tips for aging figures, and mourn the ones that got away. The sense of community around old labubu feels different from the frenzy surrounding new releases—slower, more reverent, more focused on preservation than acquisition.
Conclusion
The story of old labubu is the story of how an underground art toy became a global phenomenon. From Kasing Lung's early sketches inspired by Nordic folklore to the limited convention releases that sparked a collecting movement, each vintage piece carries the weight of history.
For those of us who collect, the hunt for limited edition labubu items isn't just about acquisition—it's about connection. Connection to the artist's original vision, to the early collectors who recognized something special, and to a version of Labubu that existed before the world caught on.
Whether you're a veteran collector with a shelf full of vintage treasures or a newcomer just discovering the magic of labubu plush toys, understanding the character's history enriches every unboxing, every display decision, and every moment of appreciation.
The old labubu lives on in every modern figure too. That mischievous grin still carries echoes of the original. Those pointy ears still capture the blend of cute and creepy that made us fall in love. And somewhere, in a collector's carefully preserved display case, a piece of that history waits to inspire the next generation of fans.
Sources
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csapunch. (2025). We Had Our Own Version of Labubu Back in the 90s [Facebook post]. Facebook.
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LoveToKnow. (2025). 8 Vintage Labubu Dupes to Fuel Your Fuzzy Obsession.
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Pop Mart Collectors Subreddit. (2025). New vs Old Labubu [Online forum post]. Reddit.
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ryanthomasroth. (2025). Vintage Labubu Collection [Video]. TikTok.
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Wikipedia. (2025). Labubu.
