China’s favourite ‘ugly’ products celebrated with exhibition and awards
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Visitors at the Era Of Uglies Has Arrived exhibition in Hangzhou, China, on Aug 13.
PHOTO: REUTERS
HANGZHOU – From sandals inspired by cabbage leaves to a tower of misshapen cat pillows, a new exhibition in Hangzhou is celebrating the weirdest and most aesthetically unappealing products available for sale online in China.
The Era Of Uglies Has Arrived exhibition, organised for the first time this year by Alibaba-owned e-commerce giant Taobao, spotlights more than 300 products that have won or been shortlisted for the platform’s annual Ugly Stuff Competition, also known as the Uglies Award.
On display at the exhibition are sandals inspired by cabbage leaves.
PHOTO: REUTERS
The Uglies Award’s project lead Yu Hu said the exhibition attracted more than 3,000 visitors a day during its run from late July to mid-August.
“Ugly” products on Taobao have generated more than 100 million yuan (S$17.9 million) in sales since 2020, according to Alibaba, with Yu estimating current growth rates for the sector in the “double or triple digits”.
Younger consumers are fuelling the popularity of these unprepossessing products because they want to express their individuality, Yu added. As the economy languishes, they are also looking for affordable luxuries, a phenomenon known as emotional consumption.
“In recent years, emotional consumption has become more and more of a ‘blue ocean’, meaning it’s becoming increasingly popular, turning into a new (spending) track,” Yu said.
The products have won or been shortlisted for Taobao’s annual Ugly Stuff Competition, also known as the Uglies Award.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Ugly-cute accessory Labubu is a well-known example of the phenomenon, sparking a global buying frenzy with its wide eyes and toothy grin, and winning celebrity fans including Barbadian singer Rihanna and English former footballer David Beckham.
For some visitors, the exhibition was a reflection on the meaning of beauty, while others saw it as a lesson in creative thinking.
“Ugliness is another form of beauty,” said exhibition visitor Mei Duo, 55. “There’s so much creativity, it’s a special type of beauty.” REUTERS
