China 101
Designer toys (art toys)
潮玩
Collectible art toys aimed at adults rather than children, driven by original IP characters and artist collaborations, with Pop Mart as the industry's flagship.
Chaowan, literally trendy toys, is the Chinese term for designer or art toys: stylized collectible figures created by artists and sold to adult collectors. Unlike traditional toys tied to cartoons, these are original characters whose appeal is pure design and emotional resonance.
Pop Mart turned this niche into an industry by signing artists, standardizing blind box distribution, and building characters like Molly, Dimoo, Skullpanda, and Labubu into IP franchises with retail stores on three continents. The sector now spans plush dolls, mega-size figures, trading cards, and brand collaborations with everything from luxury houses to beverage chains.
Chaowan is frequently cited in Chinese business media as proof that domestic IP can succeed globally without relying on traditional cultural symbols. Its fans queue overnight for launches, and resale prices for rare pieces make headlines, putting designer toys at the center of China's youth consumption story.