Why Celebrities Like Rihanna and Dua Lipa Are Carrying ‘Adult Toys’ in 2025

Plush toys are nary longer conscionable for kids. They’ve go the astir astonishing manner accessory of 2025.

First came the whispers of nostalgia. Then came the sightings: high-end handbags casually adorned with tiny, wide-eyed toys. Now successful afloat swing, 2025’s astir unexpected manner craze sees celebrities embracing plush toys arsenic connection accessories — and starring the complaint are nary different than Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Blackpink’s Lalisa Manobal, and Elsa Hosk.

Far from children’s toys, these alleged “adult toys” are portion of a booming subculture known arsenic ‘cutecore’ – an aesthetic that champions playfulness, softness and childlike wonder. In a post-“quiet luxury” world, the pendulum has swung dramatically toward expressive, nostalgic fashion. Plushie container charms person go a awesome of that shift.

Dua Lipa has been spotted accessorising her Hermès Birkin with not 1 but 2 Labubu plushies. Labubu, a mischievous elf-like quality primitively created by Kasing Lung and popularised by Chinese artifact elephantine Pop Mart, has built a cult pursuing for its endearing fuzziness and quirky costumes. Lalisa Manobal has not lone amassed a postulation of uncommon Labubus but besides often showcases them connected societal media, portion Elsa Hosk has styled hers with high-fashion outerwear. Even Rihanna has fixed the inclination her stamp of approval.

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Instagram: @hoskelsa

This isn’t conscionable a personage quirk. Cutecore’s roots prevarication successful Japan’s kawaii civilization and the broader “kidult” phenomenon: a generational clasp of childlike joys successful big life. Plushies similar Miffy, Monchhichi, Jellycats and Labubu are present appearing connected runways and successful viral contented crossed TikTok and Pinterest. Coach precocious covered its Fall/Winter 2025 runway bags with teddy charms, portion Miu Miu’s crocheted carnivore container tags are selling for upwards of $875.

The entreaty goes beyond aesthetics. For many, these plush toys connection affectional comfortableness successful an progressively tense world. Whether clipped to a handbag oregon displayed connected a desk, they supply a soft, acquainted anchor successful the chaos of big life. Blind container purchases adhd a thrill of astonishment to the experience, echoing puerility joys with big consumerism.

While immoderate critics disregard the inclination arsenic frivolous oregon infantilising, fans clasp its unapologetic joy. In a civilization often dominated by minimalism and restraint, cutecore is impervious that manner inactive has country to play. And if the likes of Dua Lipa and Rihanna are cosigning it, it mightiness conscionable beryllium the softest powerfulness determination of the year.

Instagram: @lalalalisa_m

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Natalie Martin

Editor

Natalie Martin is exertion and writer astatine Greek City Times, specialising successful penning diagnostic articles and exclusive interviews with Greek personalities and celebrities. Natalie focuses connected bringing authentic stories to beingness and crafting compelling narratives. Her endowment for storytelling and compassionate attack to journalism guarantee that each nonfiction connects with readers astir the world.