Image via Complex Original
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For streetwear fans, Medicom Toy’s Bearbrick series is likely a familiar face. The collectible toys are effectively an adult’s answer to hitting up Toys “R” Us as a child. The main difference is that unlike your childhood toys, these Bearbrick figures have rapidly become sought-after art pieces. Since the brand’s first release in May 2001, the Japanese toy company has collaborated with artists, fashion designers, and major retailers to produce these collectible figures. When it comes to decorating your home, a solid Bearbrick is easily one of the coolest pieces you could add to any room.
Bearbricks come in many different sizes; the most popular models are the 1000% Bearbricks–which are approximately 2.3 feet high and popular with celebrities like Ben Baller. The shape of a Bearbrick itself never really changes. What makes these toys so coveted are commemorative and rare editions designed by high-end fashion brands or revered pop artists. Bearbricks made by Chanel or artists like KAWS have earned a reputation among art dealers and toy enthusiasts for not only being must-haves, but for also fetching high prices on auction blocks and resell sites.
There are plenty of 1000% Bearbricks below a $1,000 price range, but these are typically easy to come by. So we put together this list of some of the most expensive 1000% Bearbricks sold in auctions and on StockX.
10.BAPE x Readymade 100% & 1000% Bearbrick Set
Released: 2021
Sold For: $12,000 on StockX (2021)
Yes, even on the lower range of the most expensive 1000% Bearbricks to ever be sold, collectors can still expect to shell out over $10,000. One specific Bearbrick collaboration that consistently fetches high resale prices are those made with BAPE and Readymade. This set released in 2021 retailed for $2,960 alone. Readymade was conceived by the Japanese designer Yuta Hosokawa, who is also the designer behind Saint Michael alongside Cali Thornhill Dewitt. Hosokawa launched Readymade in 2013 and the label’s developed a reputation for creating some of the most coveted upcycled garments within streetwear today. The brand does everything from screen printing on vintage blanks to upcycling old military fabrics to craft unique cut and sew apparel. This Bearbrick, amongst others made by Readymade, includes a costume that’s constructed out of a vintage ghillie suit.
9.KAWS OriginalFake 6th Anniversary 1000% Bearbrick
Released: 2012
Sold For: $12,800 on StockX (2022)
Six years after KAWS launched his popular streetwear label OriginalFake, he properly celebrated the brand’s anniversary by launching a special 1000% Bearbrick. This Bearbrick features a monogram-esque reinterpretation of his popular “Chompers” artworks, which have graced many of KAWS’ popular collaborations with brands like BAPE. A unique aspect of this Bearbrick is that the KAWS Chomper monogram is actually printed on a piece of fabric that’s zippered to the Bearbrick, which means it can be removed and washed for cleaning. The toy was only sold at Ambush in Singapore. Months after KAWS released this toy, OriginalFake came to an end in 2013.
8.Karimoku Horizon Bearbrick 1000%
Released: 2018
Sold For: $13,000 on StockX
Karimoku is a revered Japanese wood furniture company that’s been around for 80 years. Medicom has frequently collaborated with Karimoku to produce handmade wooden toys. One of the most sought after Bearbrick x Karimoku collabs is their very first 1000% wooden Bearbrick. This figure was completely constructed of walnut wood, handcrafted in Japan, and was made-to-order. Due to the craftsmanship required for each of these Bearbricks, they are pricey. An smaller, 11-inch tall 400% Baby Milo x Karimoku Bearbrick released in 2020 retailed at $2,000. What’s more shocking is that the lowest asking price for this very Bearbrick is $22,000.
7.Fragment Design World Wide Tour 2 1000% Bearbrick
Released: 2011
Sold For: $14,076 on StockX (2022)
Bearbricks that come with costumes are always a plus because it’s like getting two different toys for the price of one. This specific Bearbrick designed by Hiroshi Fujiwara of Fragment Design was a part of the Bearbrick World Wide Tour 2. Since 2007, the Bearbrick World Wide Tours have highlighted creatives worldwide by giving them 1000% Bearbricks to use as canvases. The last tour was rolled out in 2020 and featured over 100 creators. Fujiwara’s contribution to the exhibit cleverly played off the popular saying “a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
6.KAWS Chomper 1000% Bearbrick
Released: 2003
Sold For: $14,200 on StockX (2021)
This KAWS Chomper Bearbrick from 2003 is one of the most popular Bearbrick models designed by KAWS and one of the priciest Bearbricks ever sold in recent years. This model is particularly sought after by collectors because it was only released at the A-Nation, an annual music festival organized by the Japanese record label Avex. Allegedly only 500 of these Bearbricks were produced and who knows how many are left around nearly two decades later. By now, it shouldn’t be surprising to hear that KAWS’ works are highly sought after in the art toy collecting game. The OriginalFake dissected “Companion” figures—seen in music videos like Drake’s “Toosie Slide”—is also highly sought after by Bearbrick and KAWS toy collectors.
5.Readymade x Mickey Mouse 1000% Bearbrick
Released: 2019
Sold For: $14,599 on StockX (2021)
While it may seem crazy to put these two entities together, it just works. Although Mickey Mouse Bearbricks made in collaboration with BAPE and Fragment also fetch high numbers on the resale market, this Readymade Mickey Mouse Bearbrick hits different with that Ghillie suit on. The toy originally retailed for $2,735 and now resells for nearly six times its original value today.
4.Sorayama x Daniel Arsham 1000% Bearbrick
Released: 2019
Sold For: $14,999 on StockX (2021)
Daniel Arsham and Hajime Sorayama are two artists who have crossed over into the fashion world—both have collaborated with Kim Jones at Dior. This Bearbrick collaboration literally fused Arsham’s erosion aesthetics with Sorayama’s otherworldly robot illustrations. This piece was released to commemorate the opening of the NAZUKA 2G gallery in Tokyo, which debuted with a show featuring collaborative artworks made by Arsham and Sorayama.
3.My First Bearbrick Baby Space Version 1000%
Released: 2019
Sold For: $15,985on StockX (2022)
The Bearbrick market can be wildly unpredictable at times. This 1000% Bearbrick, which previously sold for $3,000–$5,000 a year ago, was sold on StockX this March for nearly $16,000. On StockX these 1000% iterations of “My First Bearbrick Baby” toys typically fetch thousands of dollars regardless of what color they are. The My First Bearbrick Baby line was conceived by the Japanese celebrity Chiaki Fujimoto, who’s well known for singing, acting, and designing baby clothing. She began collaborating with the Medicom Toy Company in 2007 to make these see-through Bearbricks that resemble baby rattles. This space colorway boasts a unique hydroprint and was crafted to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing.
2.BAPE x Readymade 1000% Bearbrick Set (2018)
Released: 2018
Sold For: $20,799 on StockX (2021)
In 2018, Readymade collaborated with A Bathing Ape and Medicom Toy again for another popular Bearbrick release. Although many BAPE Bearbricks have been released with the brand’s iconic “Shark” hoodies, what makes this Readymade collab so special is that they made an actual BAPE hoodie exclusively for this figure. The hoodie was made out of Readymade’s vintage military fabrics, had a functional zipper, ribbed hems, a tiny pocket, and chenille patches. The lowest asking price for this on StockX is currently floating around the $25,000 range.
1.Chanel (Coco Chanel) 1000% Bearbrick
Released: 2006
Sold For: $30,000 at auction (2019)
Karl Lagerfeld, the late creative director of Chanel, designed this model in 2006. Only 1,000 of these Bearbricks were made and most of them were specially displayed inside Chanel boutiques. Only a handful have ever surfaced on the market. One model was exclusively sold at a charity auction along with other Bearbricks made by luxury brands like Salvatore Ferragamo, Moschino, and Hermès. The piece is modeled to look like Chanel’s founder Coco Chanel, dressed in her classic outfit: a Chanel jacket and pearls. Considering its rarity and high-fashion connection, the piece isn’t easy to get your hands on. At a Christie’s auction in November of 2019, it sold for $30,000. On StockX, there are only three available and the lowest asking price is currently $74,999. However, one collector in the recent past struck a solid deal on TheRealReal, which sold one for $8,000. Good luck to any collectors who are actively trying to cop this ultimate Bearbrick grail.