Labubus, Fugglers, and Monchichis, oh my! As the zeitgeist becomes saturated with these fuzzy little bag accessories, it begs the question, why can’t we resist these ugly-cute creatures?
By Jayne Turner – Staff Writer
Why it’s huge right now
For the past decade, we have been obsessed with Instagram filters, minimalism, and stereotypical beauty standards. This hyperfocus on having a perfectly curated, visually aesthetic feed is burning us out. By accessorizing with an ugly-cute creature, we are opting out of the expectation.
Labubus are especially popular because they have an air of mischief. Instead of a million-dollar smile, they have a little smirk. It’s easy to imagine that they are running around causing trouble. They are also an expression of art that sparks curiosity and emotional connection. By design, these dolls create intrigue and invite deeper interpretation. Because they do not come with a fixed personality, unlike characters such as Care Bears, they leave room for imagination, personal storytelling, and creative expression.
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This isn’t new
In 1956 (or earlier) in Denmark, the Troll doll was born. They were enormously popular and became a global phenomenon. These small, naked figures are characterized by a large head and brightly colored, up-combed hair. These guys inspired the very popular DreamWorks Trolls movies.
In 2001, Ugly Dolls were launched, a collection of plush dolls with unique ugly features, such as straggly teeth and beady eyes. These remained popular, eventually getting their own movie and (cancelled) television program.
In 2011, The Trash Pack was released, a toy line of small rubber figurines that come with a trash can container to keep them in. Each “Trashie” had its own name and attributes. It was common to trade and collect these.
Even Jim Henson’s Muppets fall into this ugly-cute category. Many beloved creatures have features beyond just “adorable”.
Current favorites
The largest sensation is the Labubu, which has taken over purses everywhere. Part of a larger species of collectible plush toys called “The Monsters,” Labubu has gained the most fame. It is a monster with sharp teeth, large ears, and a scruffy appearance. In gaining popularity, they have had celebrity endorsements, media hype, and scarcity, which drive up prices, with some reselling for upwards of $10,000.
Another brand that prides itself on being ugly is Fugglers. The name is a mash-up of funny-ugly, and these creatures are exactly that. They have human-like teeth, vacant eyes, and a wide variety of distinctive looks. In my opinion, these are the ugliest of the bunch. So much so that they aren’t even cute! I just can’t get behind the human-like teeth…
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So, why do we like them?
There is something about an ugly creature that portrays a whimsical cuteness. It deviates from the “norm” of ultra-cute bug-eyed characters that are seen in Disney movies and cartoons. They seem approachable, endearing. Their flaws are what make them so cute to us.
They also typically have exaggerated features, like a large head and a little body, which makes us want to protect them. The exaggerated baby-like features are what take them from just ugly to ugly-cute. Clip them to your bag and take them everywhere!
