Labubu Lunacy Takes Over Canal Street

A wave of imitation Labubu dolls has flooded the renowned Chinatown market.

Tourist shops are showcasing their knock-offs of a peculiar little toy, known as “Roughfass,” priced as low as $10.

“I thought it was trendy and cute,” said Griselda Flores, 24, who recently bought a $20 fake for her 4-year-old son. He likely wouldn’t spot the difference—Flores even has a genuine pink little monster dangling from her wallet.

“He saw it and wanted it,” she shared, explaining how it took her an hour of searching to snag two authentic toys online.

The roughly 3-inch figure, designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, first appeared in 2019 and has recently exploded in popularity, thanks in part to celebrities like Lisa from Blackpink, Rihanna, and Dua Lipa.

Interestingly, the originals are often more affordable through the “blind box” trend, costing US buyers around $27.99 for a mystery figure. The thrill of possibly unboxing rare versions definitely adds to the excitement.

Due to high demand, secret boxes can vanish in minutes, and the resale market has seen prices soar—some resellers are making as much as $5,000 per Labubu on second-hand platforms.

But the trade isn’t just hot; it’s also bleeding into the black market. Some buyers, like Evan Real and Danny Murphy, have shelled out up to $745 for these quirky dolls.

Murphy, who owns seven Labubus, noted that once you see them in person, it’s hard to resist. “I remember being caught up in the moment at the outlet mall,” he said, while Real admitted he’s had to impose limits on his purchases, calling it an “addiction out of hand.”

For those looking for cheaper options, various Canal Street vendors sell unboxed dolls alongside designer goods such as Louis Vuitton bags and Prada sunglasses.

An imitation purchased by a representative had a head barely hanging on, loose threads, melted paint, and even a plastic design flaw. Not exactly up to standard.

Xander Goodman, 18, from Austin, Texas, expressed his disappointment, explaining how he usually buys toys for their popularity, but he prefers to own something genuine. “The easiest way to spot a fake is to look at the teeth: real ones typically have nine, and the details can often be off,” he noted. He emphasized that authentic dolls come with a “compassionate card” that includes a QR code for verification.

However, it seems none of the Canal Street dolls featured these cards, and many shoppers didn’t seem to mind.

An employee mentioned that if multiple stores source their toys from the same supplier, it would likely come directly from China. Yet, each assured customers the toys were authentic and not just cheap imitations.

For instance, Nolan Petras, 7, from Georgia, chose an unboxed doll so he could see exactly what he was getting. He pointed out that the toy he picked had the correct number of teeth.

“These girls from my school came over, and they had the fake ones,” Nolan explained, making it clear that he knew which was which.