“Monsters by Monsters” fascinates Shanghai, soon Paris?

Our analysis reveals a growing cultural phenomenon. Since October 11, 2025, Kasing Lung’s “Monsters by Monsters: Now and Then” exhibition has transformed Shanghai Fashion Week into a veritable theater of figurative design. From monumental statues to sensory installations, the event has propelled the Labubu phenomenon to a rare global notoriety.

A monumental, immersive exhibition

Since its opening, “Monsters by Monsters” has been attracting impressive crowds. Co-curated by Pop Mart and How2Work, the retrospective celebrates ten years of the universe of Kasing Lung, creator of The Monsters franchise. The Fashion Week site features a six-metre-high statue of Kingmon, facing the Oriental Pearl Tower. A spectacular scenography in which every detail reveals the poetic and melancholy vision of its author.

Visitors follow an immersive path made up of over 1,100 Labubu plush toys, arranged like a living wall. This hypnotic accumulation invites visitors to immerse themselves in the emotions and folklore of the Belgian-Hong Kong artist, considered a benchmark of contemporary lowbrow art. Organizers report record attendance for an event of this kind in Shanghai.

A universe born of the crossroads between art and popular culture

Kasing Lung imagined The Monsters in 2015, inspired by his childhood dreams and Nordic fairy tales. The exhibition features nearly 300 original manuscripts and sketches illustrating the genesis of the Labubu clan. Each character, from Mokoko to Puca, embodies a facet of humanity, often perceived with humor and gentleness. This narrative approach lends The Monsters a depth rarely achieved in contemporary design.

Pop Mart, the Chinese toy art giant, has helped democratize these collectible figurines. Their international success owes much to the combination of a childlike aesthetic and nostalgic values revisited with a surrealist touch. In 2025, this hybrid approach appeals as much to Asian collectors as to European street culture enthusiasts.

The Kingmon symbol and its cultural significance

The centerpiece of the exhibition, the six-meter Kingmon symbolizes the duality between innocence and industrial gigantism. Facing the Shanghai skyline, the sculpture evokes the cohabitation of imagination and urban modernity. According to sources close to the artistic committee, the Shanghai Fashion Week management commissioned this piece to mark the 10th anniversary of Lung’s label.

This masterful staging sets “Monsters by Monsters” apart from simple art retrospectives. Insiders speak of a “museification of the toy”, combining emotion, interactivity and contemplation. Behind each figurine lies a reflection on the links between collective memory and aesthetic consumption.

“Monsters by Monsters is designed to immerse visitors in the stories behind the characters and the creative process.” – How2Work, co-curator

The global impact and the announcement of an international tour

According to Pop Mart, this Asian stop is just the beginning of a worldwide tour. Inside sources suggest that discussions are underway for a presentation in Paris as early as 2026, in parallel with a possible fashion collaboration with Moynat. European luxury brands are keeping a close eye on this phenomenon, which combines graphic art and emotional storytelling.

Our investigation shows that in ten years, Kasing Lung has succeeded in building a coherent universe capable of appealing to collectors and narrative design enthusiasts alike. The immersive nature of the exhibition responds to current trends: the need for interaction and multi-sensory scenography in art spaces.

“The 6-meter Kingmon statue pointing to Oriental Pearl Tower embodies the cultural fusion at this event.” – Shanghai Fashion Week Director

The reasons for a long-lasting craze

“Monsters by Monsters” illustrates the shift in the contemporary art market towards accessible and engaging forms. Unlike other exhibitions, this one combines artistic rigor with a playful approach. The public doesn’t observe: it plays, feels and recognizes itself in these expressive faces.

This fusion of art and design also testifies to Shanghai’s central role as an emerging capital of global visual culture. Interconnection with international designers could soon transform icons like Labubu into global ambassadors of Sino-European pop art. The growing interest in this franchise confirms the viability of hybrid models combining commerce, art and sincere emotion.

At the same time, new artistic figures inspired by Lung are beginning to emerge, extending this post-naïve aesthetic. Paris could become the next stage in this transcontinental dialogue. The Monsters’ influence now extends beyond collectors’ circles to fashion, advertising and even interior design.

Practical information

Location: Shanghai Fashion Week, Xintiandi, Shanghai. Period: October 11 to December 2025. Works exhibited: approx. 300 original documents and illustrations, 6 m Kingmon statue, 1,100 Labubu plush installation. Curators: Pop Mart & How2Work. Site: threads.com/@shletsmeet.

For fans of design and artistic collaborations, this exhibition marks a turning point in the international recognition of art toys as a medium for contemporary storytelling.