This spring, Paris briefly became the center of the designer toy universe. Fans from all over Europe gathered in the city to celebrate one of the most iconic characters in the world of collectible figures: LABUBU.

From March 4 to March 29, 2026, the exhibition “Monsters by Monsters: Now and Then” arrived in Paris as part of the global anniversary tour of the beloved The Monsters universe. Organized by POP MART in collaboration with How2work, the event celebrated ten years of creativity behind the character and the imaginative world created by artist Kasing Lung.  The exhibition was held at the historic Hôtel du Grand Veneur in the Marais district, one of Paris’ most artistic neighborhoods.

Rather than simply displaying collectible figures, the exhibition offered a full retrospective of the universe that began in 2015 with Kasing Lung’s illustrated stories. 

Visitors could explore the evolution of the character through sketches, original manuscripts, paintings and a large collection of vinyl figures released over the past decade. For longtime fans, it was a rare opportunity to see how the mischievous character developed from picture-book illustrations into a global collectible icon. 

Six Immersive Zones

One of the highlights of the event was its immersive layout. The exhibition was divided into six themed zones that guided visitors through the creative process and the history of the brand. 

Some of the most popular areas included:

• Oil Painting & Sculpture Zone: showcasing original artworks by Kasing Lung
• Journey & Manuscript Zone: displaying early sketches and drafts that inspired the characters
• Designer Collectible Zone: presenting rare figures and collaborations from the past decade
• Interactive Photo Cabin: a playful space where visitors could take photos surrounded by plush LABUBU figures

The exhibition made it clear that designer toys are more than just collectibles; they sit somewhere between art, storytelling and pop culture.

Why the Paris Stop Matters

Paris was the only European stop of the anniversary world tour, which previously visited cities such as Shanghai, Taipei and Hong Kong. 

This made the event particularly exciting for European collectors, who rarely get the chance to experience large-scale POP MART exhibitions without traveling to Asia. The choice of Paris also felt fitting: the city’s long history with art, fashion and design makes it a natural stage for the growing designer toy movement.

The Growing Popularity of Labubu in Europe

In recent years, Labubu has become one of the most recognizable characters in the POP MART universe. With its mischievous smile, pointy ears and signature nine teeth, the character has developed a huge international fanbase.

Events like the Paris exhibition show how the designer toy scene is expanding beyond Asia and becoming increasingly visible in Europe. 

For fans of Labubu and the wider POP MART universe, the Paris event was a memorable milestone, and hopefully just the beginning of more exhibitions and events in Europe.