It started subtly. A post here, a story there. Then, Lisa from Blackpink was spotted with one, and the internet did what the internet does. It broke. Suddenly, my DMs and store emails were flooded with a single, oddly specific question: "Do you have the Labubu for the Hermès bag?" Not just any Labubu. It had to be a specific one, usually from the Macaron series.
As someone who has been collecting and selling Kasing Lung's creations for years, this was… bizarre. We went from talking about artist lore and vinyl quality to discussing which Labubu best complements the Togo leather on a Birkin 30. The labubu on birkin phenomenon wasn't just a trend; it was a market-shattering event that sent shockwaves through the entire designer toy community. And honestly, it's a mix of thrilling and terrifying.
The fashion magazines will tell you it's about personalizing luxury. A playful, high-low culture clash. And sure, that's part of it. Putting a $15 monster on a $25,000 bag is a statement. It says you don't take your wealth too seriously. It's a bit of a flex, a bit of fun. But they miss the real story, the absolute chaos it created for collectors and sellers like me.
The Macaron Market Meltdown: A Real-World Price Explosion
Let's get specific. Before this trend, The Monsters Exciting Macaron series was popular, but obtainable. A blind box retailed for about $15-$17. A full case of six, which guaranteed no duplicates, was around $100. You could find them, collect them, and trade them with friends. It was a normal, healthy collector's market.
Then the hermes labubu photos went viral.
The demand shifted entirely to a few key figures. Specifically, the pastel-colored ones that looked best against the classic Hermès colorways like Etoupe, Craie, or Gold.
* Lychee Macaron (The Pink One): This was the ground zero of the explosion. Before the hype, you could probably buy this specific figure on the secondary market for $30, maybe $40 if you were unlucky. After it was seen on a celebrity's bag, I watched its price on platforms like StockX and Xianyu (a popular Chinese resale app) climb to over $250. For a single, 3-inch vinyl figure. It was madness. * Chestnut Macaron (The Brown One): This one became the go-to for matching the classic Hermès Gold and Etain leathers. It went from a common $20 pull to a consistent $150-$180 figure overnight. * Soymilk Macaron (The White/Cream One): The perfect match for Craie or Nata bags. Same story. A common figure that suddenly became a coveted prize, easily fetching over $120.
For us at PopNya, it was a nightmare to manage. Our stock of Macarons, which we had planned to last for a month, sold out in under two hours. The pre-orders for the next restock filled up instantly. And the emails… hundreds of people asking for "the pink one" or "the brown one," completely unaware that they come in sealed, randomized "blind boxes." Explaining the concept of blind boxes to people who had never collected toys before, but were willing to drop hundreds on a bag charm, became a full-time job.
This is where the information gap is. The people driving this trend often don't know the difference between a regular series and a secret/chase figure. They just see a cute labubu doll hermes combo and want it. This created a perfect storm for scalpers and, even worse, for counterfeiters. The market for fake Macarons is now enormous, and if you don't know what to look for, you can easily get scammed. If you're thinking of buying one, you absolutely need to read up on how to spot fakes, because they are getting scarily accurate.
Real Talk: Is This a Good Idea? A Practical Guide to Not Ruining Your Bag
So, you've decided you want to join the trend. I get it. It's cute. But as a collector who values both the toy and, hypothetically, a five-figure handbag, there are things you need to know that Vogue won't tell you.
1. Not All Labubus Are Created Equal. The reason the Macaron series works so well is because they are lightweight, relatively small, and have a built-in loop on their heads, designed for a keychain attachment. They are meant to be hung.
Trying this with other series can be a disaster. * Avoid: The "Have a Seat" series, for example. They're amazing figures, but they're designed to be sitting. They are heavier and have no natural attachment point. Or the "Big into Energy" series, they are way too big and bulky. You risk smacking the figure against things and chipping its paint, or worse, scratching your bag. * Good Alternatives: The "Sweets" series has a similar vibe to the Macarons. The "Flower Elves" can also work, as they are often delicate and have loops. The key is to look for something lightweight with a secure, integrated loop.
2. The Attachment is Everything. This is the most important part. The official Pop Mart keychain attachments are usually a fabric loop with a metal clasp. My honest advice? Be careful with the metal clasp. The clasps are standard, inexpensive metal. They can absolutely scratch the precious hardware on a Birkin or Kelly (the lock, the touret, the pontets). They can also, over time, scuff the leather itself if it's constantly rubbing against it.
What I've seen savvy collectors do is one of two things:
The Twilly Method: They loop the Labubu's fabric strap around the handle underneath* a Twilly scarf. The Twilly protects the leather handle, and the Labubu hangs freely. This is the safest method. The Bag Charm Connector: They attach the Labubu to a different*, higher-quality bag charm that they already own, one with a leather strap or a clasp designed for luxury bags (like the Hermès Rodeo or Pegasus charms). They essentially use the Labubu as an add-on to an existing, bag-safe charm.Do NOT just clip a cheap metal clasp directly onto the handle of your expensive bag. I cringe every time I see it.
3. The Rise of the "Luxury Labubu" Outfit. This trend has spawned a cottage industry of custom-made outfits for Labubu dolls. People on Etsy and Instagram are now creating tiny, hand-knitted sweaters, miniature jackets, and even tiny felt "Birkin" bags for their Labubus to hold. It's a meta-commentary on the trend itself. This is where the luxury labubu idea gets really interesting. The doll is no longer just a doll; it's a tiny mannequin for its own luxury accessories, designed to match the big one it's hanging from. It's a whole new level of dedication.
Our Take: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Look, I'm a toy seller. In theory, this trend is great for business. It brings a massive new audience to the world of Kasing Lung and designer toys. For years, we've been trying to tell people that these aren't just "toys," they're pieces of art. The labubu hermes bag trend, in a weird way, has helped legitimize that in the mainstream. People who would have never looked twice at a blind box are now seeing the appeal.
But here's my honest take.
The Good: It's fun, expressive, and shines a massive spotlight on an incredible artist. Kasing Lung deserves all the success. Seeing his little monster adopted by the high-fashion world is a victory for the entire art toy scene.
The Bad: The price inflation is unsustainable and hurts real collectors. People who genuinely love the characters and have been collecting for years are now priced out of completing their sets. It shifts the focus from the art to pure hype and status. It also puts immense pressure on the supply chain, leading to instant sell-outs and frustration.
The Ugly: The fakes. The counterfeit market for the Macaron series is out of control. Unsuspecting buyers, new to the hobby, are paying inflated prices for worthless, poorly made knock-offs. It damages the artist's reputation and scams people out of their money. We've had customers bring in fakes they bought elsewhere, and it's heartbreaking to have to tell them they were duped. You can check out our guide to the Macaron series to get a better handle on what to look for.
So, do I think you should put a Labubu on your bag? If it brings you joy, absolutely. It's a wonderful way to show your personality. But do it smartly. Don't overpay for a hyped figure. Consider one of the less "trendy" but equally charming figures from the wider LABUBU collection. Protect your bag with a proper attachment method. And for the love of all that is holy, please learn how to spot a fake before you buy from a reseller.
The labubu on birkin moment might be fleeting, or it might become an iconic look. It's too soon to tell. But it's a fascinating case study in how a little vinyl monster can completely disrupt the worlds of both toy collecting and high fashion. Just remember that long after the hype dies down, the art will remain. Collect what you love, not just what's trending.
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