Collector’s items are nothing new, but over the last few years, the number of people who have become interested in investing in and building their own collections has been on the rise. Pretty much all kinds of items can be collected if they hold personal significance for an individual, and while some items are very rare, antiques, or were only released as part of limited editions, others are fairly commonplace and not even expensive. Currently, apart from personal interest, many collectors are also driven by the rise of various trends.
Social media, in particular, is known for fostering and promoting the trends, with content creators showing their latest investments and their followers wanting to replicate them. This isn’t always a good idea since it could lead to spending money on things that you get bored with soon after. However, if you’ve been thinking about building a collection (a common thing since the search for items can feel rewarding), here are a few of the trends you should take into consideration.
Funkos
The official Funko shop is one of the most popular spots where you’ll find collectors congregating in large numbers. This American company is well-known for its licensed vinyl figures, which depict beloved fictional characters and celebrities alike. Apart from that, Funko also sells action figures, accessories, apparel, games, and licensed plush toys. They work with major companies such as Disney, Sony, Warner Bros., Marvel Entertainment, and Paramount Global. Thousands of products across several lines have been revealed since the company’s inception, with the first being known as Wacky Wobblers.
The first characters that Funko released were Betty Boop, The Cat in the Hat, and Cap’n Crunch. The company mascot, Freddy Funko, was revealed in 2002, with the official Funko Pop! line being launched eight years later. Since then, the design of the figures has become emblematic in fandoms from all over the world. The square-shaped heads, tiny bodies, and round, black eyes are easily recognizable, and many collectors rush to buy the figures depicting their favorite characters. In many cases, there are many different iterations of the same character, so that those who are genuinely passionate about them can be as thorough as possible about their collections.
Funko Pops are among the most accessible collectibles out there, and their popularity has meant that there will always be a market for them. There are a few Funkos out there that are quite rare, as they were released during exclusive events or in very limited numbers. If you’re looking to add some of those pieces to your collection, you’ll have some digging to do.
Labubu
If you’ve been online during the last few months, then you’ve most likely heard of Labubu, the collectible plush toys created by Hong Kong illustrator Kasing Lung. The toys are zoomorphic and feature exaggerated facial expressions, resembling cute monsters (Lung was inspired by the Nordic mythology and folklore he enjoyed during his childhood when creating them), with large ears and sharp teeth. Labubu is both produced and sold exclusively by Pop Mart, a Chinese company headquartered in Beijing. The figures are primarily released in sealed boxes, a method known as blind box packaging, which conceals the identity of the character. Some Labubu toys have also been released as part of themed sets and in limited numbers, further contributing to the hype.
As with most crazes, it required having someone popular and well-known who was interested in the toys to popularize them. In April 2024, Lalisa Manobal, a member of the K-pop girl group Blackpink, was spotted wearing a Labubu keychain, and the trend quickly took off in her native Thailand, as well as in Southeast and East Asia. Several other celebrities have endorsed the toys as well, including Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Javier Bardem, Cher, Marc Jacobs, and David Beckham. Some have said that Labubu’s huge appeal comes from the fact that they’re cute in a non-traditional way, but also because, since they are typically worn as an accessory, they are more than just a toy. They’re a fashion statement as well. Which brings us to our next category, which is:
Fashion collectibles
Fashion and brands have become increasingly important for people over the last few years. Expressing yourself through clothing is nothing new, but many fashion lovers are also increasingly seeking ways to acquire rare items for their collections. In some cases, the pieces are never worn at all. Sneakerheads, people who collect sneakers as a hobby, are particularly known for this, with the number of shoes many of them own being too much to wear in a lifetime anyway. To get their hands on some of the ultra-rare (and often incredibly expensive) pairs they want, many of these collectors spend weeks, months, or even years scouring all kinds of marketplaces and bargaining with the sellers.
The high luxury equivalent is the Birkin bag. Created by French fashion house Hermès in 1984, the Birkin bag was released following a chance meeting between Jean-Louis Dumas, then CEO of the company, and British-French actress and singer Jane Birkin. The latter discussed the impracticality of bags and expressed a desire for one that was large enough to hold both scripts and the diapers she had to carry for her two-year-old daughter, Lou Doillon. When he suggested a bag with pockets, she replied that Hermès makes no such bags. He revealed his identity, and Birkin asked him why they don’t design bags four times larger than the Kelly. Dumas drew up a bag on the spot and promised to name it after her. Birkin was flattered and accepted.
Since then, the bags have become one of the most coveted status symbols in the world, not just as a result of their price but also because the process of acquiring one is quite complex. You have to be a habitual customer with a consistent purchase history. You need to develop a rapport with sales associates, as well as visiting boutiques (Birkins are sold exclusively in Hermès stores). Visiting early in the morning helps collectors increase their odds of getting one.
To sum up, being a collector requires effort and dedication, especially when seeking to acquire something that is popular with the general public. Doing your research and being persistent are the only ways to build your collection. The most devoted enthusiasts enjoy the thrill of the chase when searching for an item, rather than getting frustrated if they don’t find it right away.
