Oh, You Thought Labubu Was the End of Collectibles? SKULLPANDA Has Other Ideas

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Labubu, the inescapable but loveable little plush creature, had collectible toy drops feeling like the glory days of sneaker releases, with fans scrambling to get their hands on the latest release like their lives depended on it. Before long, they were dangling off just about every handbag going, from beat-up totes to luxury bags worth more than your rent. Looking at you, Marc Jacobs.

But if the sneaker world has taught us anything, it's that there's always another pair to be eyeing up. Thankfully, POP MART has more characters up its sleeve than one toothy little troublemaker.

Take SKULLPANDA, for instance. Created by Chinese artist Xiongmiao in 2018, the character has spent the past eight years moving between different identities, with a visual language that borrows as comfortably from fashion as it does from the art scene. Its latest collection, OFF MODE, takes a decidedly less-is-more approach, exploring the familiar urge to tune out and leave the daily grind on read. And let’s face it, there’s never been a more fitting time.

What’s especially appealing about OFF MODE is that it gives you permission to drop the act, ditch the daily routine, and generally stop pretending you have your life together 24/7. You’re kidding no one. The characters are suitably on the same wavelength, too, from Low Battery for when you're running on fumes to No Adulting for when yet another bill arrives and the thought of being a functioning member of society feels like too damn much. The collection comes in the form of plush dolls and a handful of accessories, including phone lanyards, earphone bags, and POP ATTACH. The cherry on top? It introduces SKULLPANDA in mini form for the first time. Turns out, good things really do come in small packages.

New Yorkers, consider this your excuse to blow off a few plans. Running from October 16 through November 30, the free SKULLPANDA takeover at 423 W. 14th Street brings three OFF MODE-inspired installations to the city, alongside a dedicated pop-up stocked with a ton of North American exclusives.

Its launch party got in on the action, too, with SKULLPANDA creator Xiongmiao stopping by for a signing and Mona Matsuoka handling DJ duties. Safe to say, OFF MODE made quite the entrance. The experience runs through the end of next month, so there’s still time to clear a little space on your calendar. And on your shelf, for that matter.

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