The figure that turned fear into tenderness
Not every monster is born to frighten. Some are created to heal.
Labubu, the strange little creature imagined by Kasing Lung, is one of those rare figures that bridge the gap between darkness and affection — a handmade piece of emotional design that has quietly shaped the world of collectible art.
Originally introduced in The Monsters series by How2Work, Labubu isn’t just a toy; it’s a character from a dreamscape where fear smiles back at you. With his sharp teeth, big eyes, and fragile posture, he’s both unsettling and innocent — a mirror of the childlike emotions we often try to hide.
Kasing Lung — The artist of hidden emotions
Kasing Lung, a Hong Kong–based illustrator and storyteller, began his career creating picture books. His early art explored the blurred space between imagination and reality — a tone that still defines his vinyl figures today.
Through Labubu, Lung crafted something timeless: a creature that embodies emotional duality.
The fur and scars symbolize chaos, but the gentle smile softens it. His figures don’t just tell stories — they feel them.
“Labubu is not meant to be cute. It’s meant to be real.” — Kasing Lung, interview, 2020.
That authenticity is what transformed Labubu into an art toy icon, collected across the world by designers, artists, and pop culture enthusiasts. Each model is produced with hand-finished details, brush textures, and subtle imperfections — proof that emotion, not precision, defines great design.
The Amour Edition — Love in the Dark
Among the many versions of Labubu, one of the most iconic is the Amour Figure — a creature dressed in black, holding a pale yellow skull close to its chest.
The contrast between life and death, light and shadow, defines this edition’s emotional depth.
It’s a sculpture that feels alive, almost cinematic. The glossy skull reflects a dim glow, while Labubu’s expression suggests empathy rather than horror. It’s a reminder that fear and affection often share the same origin — vulnerability.
This design captures what Foil Tavern celebrates: the soul inside the collectible. Like a handcrafted HexCase, it preserves not just the object, but the story it tells.
Labubu and the collector’s spirit
In the world of designer toys, Labubu stands apart.
It’s not about rarity, exclusivity, or resale value — it’s about connection. Collectors display their Labubu not to show off, but to remember: the feeling of wonder, melancholy, and mischief that defines Kasing Lung’s universe.
At Foil Tavern, we see this as the same philosophy behind our collector displays — craftsmanship designed to honor emotion.
Whether it’s a Pokémon card or a hand-sculpted vinyl figure, each piece deserves light, not storage.
🪞 Because display is memory made visible.
Which monster would you display in your HexCase — the one that scares you, or the one that understands you?
The meaning of tenderness
If you found beauty in Labubu’s quiet chaos, you might also enjoy these stories from the origins of collectible art:
- The Origin of a Global Icon — Pikachu TCG
- The Root of Life — Bulbasaur and the Art of Calm
- The Genesis of Power — Mewtwo’s Creation
Each piece reminds us that behind every design, there’s an artist — and behind every collector, there’s emotion.