The queues confirm it: Barcelona has become the Spanish capital of the Labubu phenomenon. These little vinyl creatures with pointed ears and rogue faces, created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, have chosen the heart of the city to open their first store in the country.
The 124-square-meter shop occupies a space at number 3 Portal de l’Àngel, where they used to sell underwear, and has already become a place of pilgrimage for fans, onlookers and collectors. Some have even slept in the street to secure one of the coveted surprise boxes that hide these figures that have become pop icons.
From ephemeral store to permanent phenomenon
The brand behind the furor, Pop Mart, already tested the waters last November with a pop-up on Pelai Street. But the fever did not die down, and the opening of this new permanent store in Barcelona marks a before and after in the relationship between the city and the universe of art toys.
The Labubu are vinyl figures of about 10 centimeters, with an aesthetic halfway between adorable and mischievous. Born from the imagination of Kasing Lung, a Hong Kong illustrator, these characters have elongated ears, intense looks and an aura reminiscent of goblins or fairytale creatures. Although they were born as part of the art toy movement, they have transcended the niche to become objects of desire or collection for thousands of young people around the world.
The key to their success? Mystery. Each figure is sold inside a blind box, a closed box that does not reveal which character it contains until it is opened. This mix of chance, design and collecting has made Labubu an international success, driven by influencers, TikTok and a global network of fans willing to exchange, collect or resell.
The choice of the Catalan capital is no coincidence. According to its promoters, Pop Mart was looking for a vibrant, young city with artistic sensibility. And Barcelona has it all: creativity, international tourism, local collectors and an increasingly strong cultural connection with Asia.
