Bearbrick is a Japanese pliable toy that has the design of a standing bear. Made by Medicom Toys, a company established in 1996, the ‘Kubrick‘ toy was made to pay homage to the famous film director Stanley Kubrick, with the design of the logo even going as far as resembling the logo of the director’s famous movie A Clockwork Orange. Made with a license to be limited-edition, the toys have since grown into one of the hottest collectibles in the streetwear space.
The Boom of Bearbricks
Even though Bearbrick toys were specifically designed for kids, over time these figurines have grown to be one of the most sought-after toys in the industry. Surprisingly, these figurines have come to speak to a more sophisticated crowd, catching the attention of artists like Pharrell Williams, Ben Baller, and many others in the fashion, art, and music space. The toy has entered the forefront of culture, touching landscapes in art galleries, fashion exhibitions, and music videos.
Selling for a couple of hundred dollars to several thousand in the resale market, the Bearbricks toy has become one of the most iconic collectibles in streetwear today. In fact, to give an idea of how outrageous these toys go for, one model by artist Yue Minjun, a 1000% figurine named ‘Qiu Tu’ was sold close to US$200,000 at an auction.
The first Bearbrick was christened 100%, standing at 7 cm tall. Since then, all Bearbrick toys have been named following this pattern, with sizes ranging from 50% to 1000%. With the second-to-most common format being 400% (28 cm tall), the Bearbricks collectibles have come to take up the shelves of celebrities, sneakerheads, and casual consumers alike.
Bearbricks x Emotionally Unavailable Red Heart 100% & 400% Set
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The Bearbricks x Emotionally Unavailable Red Heart 100% & 400% Set is one of the most popular sets that have been released today. Coming in two figurines, one in 100% and the other 400%, the collectibles are constructed of the transparent body with a red hue. A red heart is visible in the center of the figurine, and the 400% set can be fitted with batteries, with the toy standing at 28cm. The streetwear collectibles are made of plastic and retailed between US$345 and $1200.
Bearbrick x Clot x Nike 100% $ 400% Set Royale University Blue Silk
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The three-way collaboration between Bearbrick, Clot, and Nike brings forth a luxurious take on the Bearbrick collectible. The concept is borrowed from Nike’s Silk Royale pattern and the figurine consists of a ‘Rose Gold Silk’ base. It comes with a shoebox that emphasizes the concept of inner-self. The release comes in two sizes, 7 cm for the 100% model and 28 cm with the 400% model.
Bearbrick Keith Haring 2 100% & 400% Set Purple
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Released back in 2008, the Bearbrick Keith Haring 2 is a highly popular figurine that comes in a purple colourway. The figurine features Keith Haring’s signature at the back. It is designed with a pink base and some purple outlines. Black and blue squiggles can also be seen throughout the streetwear collectible.
Bape Bearbrick Camo Shark 400% Multi
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Bape Bearbrick Camo Shark 400% Multi is a classic figurine among the Bearbrick collectibles. It comes in a multi-coloured design with a red, yellow, and blue pattern on the torso area and a black finish at the bottom. The figurine’s head features eyes and jagged teeth, with a clear glossy touch to it. The figurine stands at 28 cm tall.
Bearbrick Atmos x Coca-Cola 100% & 400% Set Clear or Red
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The Bearbrick Atmos x Coca-Cola collaboration is a unique release, constructed in transparent red plastic. Both the 100% and 400% take advantage of Coca-Cola’s strong colourway and logo, with the words Coca-Cola written across the toy in multiple different languages. The second option has a more sophisticated look with the Coca-Cola wrapped in various languages around the Bearbrick figurine. The two figurines come stand at 7 cm (100% model) and 28 cm (400% model).