Born in 2001 as a tribute to a Tokyo fair, over the years the Bearbrick teddy bears have become a true “hype” phenomenon, entering the collections of celebrities such as Pharrell Williams and Fedez, as well as countless enthusiasts. But the market is very volatile
If you saw an anthropomorphic plastic bear, up to 70 centimeters tall and with a pronounced belly, you might mistake it for a simple children’s toy.
There is a high probability that it is instead a collector’s item object of desire of wealthy millennials and famous singers (including Fedez), around which a very strong “hype” has been created.
Let’s talk about Bearbrickthe designer teddy bears that have transformed a promotional gadget into an alternative asset worth thousands of euros.
What are Bearbricks
THE Bearbrick (also stylized in BE@RBRICK) were born in 2001 from an idea of Tatsuhiko Akashifounder of the Japanese Medicom Toya company founded in 1996. The name comes from the fusion of “Bear” (bear) and “Kubrick”, the previous block-type toy from the same company.
The first copy was distributed on May 27, 2001 as a free gadget for visitors to the World Character Convention in Tokyo, on the occasion of the centenary of Teddy bear.
The design is deliberately minimal: an anthropomorphic bear composed of nine parts (head, torso, hips, arms, hands and legs) with eight points of articulationwhich make it a perfect blank canvas for any type of customization.
Bearbricks are produced in six standard sizesidentified by a percentage compared to the basic model: 50%approximately 3.5 cm large; 70% (of 5 cm); 100% (about 7cm, the most common size); 200% (14.5cm); 400% approximately 28 cm; finally the “queen” category, 1000%with dimensions of approximately 70 cm (the most coveted by collectors)
This is not a gadget made from particularly fine materials, in fact it is usually in ABS and PVCbut limited editions can use metal, wood, velvet or even Swarovski. In fact, each series includes identity cards and versions limited or hiddenfueling the secondary market.
The Bearbrick Market
What has made Bearbricks objects of desire is their nature of canvas for artists, brands and designers. Medicom Toy regularly invites world-renowned creatives to reinterpret the bear, creating a virtuous circle of scarcity and prestige.
Among the most famous collaborations include KAWS, Nike SB, Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Chanel and Louis Vuitton.
This is not a prohibitive gadget for only the rich, the prices of launch vary based on size and collaboration. Sure, for a 1000%recent retail is between 900 and 1,210 dollars. Much more accessible one 400%which can cost around 80-180 dollars depending on the model.
But it’s on secondary market that prices explode. The Bearbrick most expensive ever sold And “Qiu Tu” (1000%) by the Chinese artist Yue Minjunauctioned for approximately $157,000. Followed by Chanel (Coco Chanel) 1000%sold for $30,000 auctioned at Christie’s in November 2019, with subsequent valuations up to $62,003.
The passionate VIPs
One of the main reasons for their fame is undoubtedly it status symbol which they bought above all with the new generation of wealthy people. Rappers, trappers, singers and influencers they display them as luxury furnishing objects, like watches or cars. Among the best-known collectors is the singer Pharrell Williamsbut also Seth Rogenuntil RM of BTS and, in Italy, Fedez.
The Italian singer and podcaster in fact owns a significant collection, visible in his Milanese home and in his recording studio. Among its Medicom Toy pieces is a limited edition from 155 eurosalongside works by KAWS, Murakami, Ron English and Jeremyville.
Alternative asset
This market is so significant that Bearbricks are now considered one form of “alternative investment”comparable to collectible sneakers or luxury watches.
A market which however is highly volatileinfluenced by fashions and trends. Between 2020 and 2021, thanks to the pandemic and global liquidity, prices skyrocketed, with 1000% models going from a few thousand euros to over $20,000.
But as early as 2022 the Chinese market began to cool: a BAPE x Sorayama 1000% has dropped from approx 28,000 to 18,000 yuan (about -35%), and a Tom & Jerry it ended up below the launch price.
Bearbricks therefore represent a perfect hybrid between art, design, pop culture and finance. Born as a simple promotional gadget, they have become objects of desire thanks to an intelligent collaboration strategy and controlled scarcity.
Today I am both collectible works That alternative assetscapable of attracting the attention of wealthy millennials, trappers and, increasingly, of those looking for an unconventional investment. But like any “hype” phenomenon, their value depends on demand: as long as it is present, there is a market.
