Good news for Y2K maximalists: bag charms are back. Not just any old keyring either. We’re talking about the growing trend of adorning designer bags with collectible toys—from blind box vinyl figurines to recognisable childhood characters. The general rule of thumb? The kitschier and cuter, the better.
Just take a look at Blackpink’s Lisa and her growing collection of Labubu dolls, often spotted hanging from her Louis Vuitton purses. For the uninitiated, Labubu is an elf, recognisable for her pointy ears, sharp teeth and mischievous smile. Part of a larger group of characters in a series of children’s books created by illustrator Kasing Lung in 2015, the creatures are inspired by Nordic fairy tales and dubbed The Monsters. Available as collectibles from Chinese toy company Pop Mart, the character has skyrocketed in popularity after Lisa posted an Instagram story of herself hugging a Labubu plush and attaching a Labubu charm to her Kaithe Elena bag earlier in April.
It’s not just Labubu alone that has gained popularity either. Crybaby’s recent collaboration with Powerpuff Girls, too, proved to be immensely coveted—so much so that (G)I-DLE’s Minnie shared in an interview that she had repeatedly tried to buy the bag charms, only to fail because they were constantly sold out. In the end, she revealed that it was Lisa who managed to find a set on the resale market and gifted them to her.
For those looking to embellish their own bags with the season’s hottest accessory, we round up the most covetable charms and characters to keep a lookout for. After all, what’s fashion without a little bit of fun?
1 / 6
Pop Mart Crybaby x Powerpuff Girls vinyl face plush blind box
2 / 6
Pop Mart Dimoo No One’s Gonna Sleep Tonight earphone bag
3 / 6
Pop Mart The Monsters Fall in Wild vinyl plush doll pendant
4 / 6
Sanrio Midnight Melokuro Kuromi mascot keychain
5 / 6
Sekiguchi Monchhichi x 475 Shinako plush doll
6 / 6
Pop Mart Care Bears Cozy Life Quicksand plush pendant blind box
The September ‘Kitsch’ issue of Vogue Singapore is available online or on newsstands now.
