BE@RBRICK is a popular collectible toy created by the Japanese company Medicom Toy. The toy features a bear-shaped figure with a simple design, often featuring various patterns or designs. One popular trend within the world of BE@RBRICK collecting is the incorporation of graffiti street art. Graffiti street art has long been a form of creative expression, often found on the walls and surfaces of urban areas. It can be seen as a form of rebellion against the traditional art world, as it often exists outside of galleries and museums. Instead, graffiti street art is meant to be experienced in public spaces, where it can be seen by a wider audience. BE@RBRICK toys have become a popular canvas for graffiti artists to showcase their work. Artists such as Kaws, Futura, and Stash have all created limited edition BE@RBRICK figures, incorporating their signature styles into the toy's design. These figures often feature bold colors and intricate designs, making them highly sought after by collectors. The incorporation of graffiti street art into the world of BE@RBRICK collecting has helped to bring these two worlds together. Graffiti artists are able to reach a wider audience through their work on the collectible toy, while collectors are able to add a unique piece of art to their collection. The popularity of BE@RBRICK graffiti street art has also led to collaborations with other brands and companies. For example, in 2019, Medicom Toy collaborated with Nike to release a limited edition BE@RBRICK figure featuring the iconic Nike swoosh. Overall, BE@RBRICK graffiti street art has become a unique and exciting trend within the world of toy collecting. It allows artists to express themselves in a new medium and collectors to add a one-of-a-kind piece to their collection. Bearbrick, launched as Be@rbrick, is a Tokyo-based company founded in 1996 and specialized in the production of collectible Art Toys. Bearbrick’s bears are much more than plastic toys, as they manage to combine an instantly identifiable character with the aesthetic of luxury fashion. Naturally, these vinyl figurines, as simple as they may appear, have taken the world by storm with extraordinary partnership deals and their immense value in terms of collectability. The company produces special exclusive series celebrating festive occasions (e.g., Halloween, Christmas) and, simultaneously, teaming up with some of the most profitable international brands, such as Chanel, Nike, Levis, and X-Large, just to name a few.
