The Beauty of Collecting

Written by: Kyra (24-O3)

Designed by: Julianna (24-E6)

I am an avid collector. This urge to collect has always been a large part of who I am, dating back to when I was a child and kept a jar of interesting seeds I would find on my walks. Over the course of my life, I have been steadily growing a collection of little trinkets and keepsakes, each with its own story behind it. It is incredibly pleasing to walk through my home and see them sprinkled everywhere – my journal contains cute business cards, postcards from every country I visit, and interesting stickers. My phone proudly sports a Smiski Hipper, a small army of Sylvanian Families resides next to my bed, and my desk is slowly being overtaken by various figurines from Popmart.

Some of my own collection :)

Throughout history, we see evidence of people collecting, as rows and rows of knick-knacks displayed in museums proudly showcase memorabilia spanning centuries of human life. A thousand years ago, people were preserving their favourite shells, mini sculptures, and tools. And a thousand years later, people are still doing the same thing. My father collects figurines of his favourite comic book heroes, my mother collects niche stamps, my brother collects Pokemon cards, and my sister collects cards of K-Pop idols. Some people commit to amassing Miffy-related merchandise, sneakers, or music records. There’s a girl who frequently pops up on my TikTok ‘For You Page’ who possesses a remarkable determination to collect as many of the discontinued Crayola Dandelion crayons as she can. Just last week, I stumbled across another TikTok page dedicated to collecting every variation of Heinz’s sauce packets. (@_lakenzo_ and @hudsonstuffy respectively, if you are interested)

People have always had the innate urge to collect. But what is the reason behind collecting? Why does anyone do it at all?

To me, collecting is a way to express personal identity and control in the material world. It is building a mosaic of everything I have ever loved, to remind myself that “Hey, you loved this once, this made you happy.” Even though we grow and become different people over time, we leave behind pieces of each version of us. By collecting, you attain a visual tapestry of your interests and personality over time, which can help you figure out what you actually like and dislike, and think about what is truly meaningful to yourself, something that is especially important in today's fast-paced world where we move from trend to trend so quickly without stopping. And, if I’m being honest, it also appeals to my ego to show off my collection of shiny trinkets to all my friends — like a particularly oddly-shaped magpie.

Of course, everyone has their own reasons for collecting. It could be to create monuments to fond memories, to represent a goal to work towards, to remind themselves of things that are important to them, or it could even just be to have something pretty to hold, display, and admire. Sigmund Freud himself had a collection of over 2000 antiquities, including statues, vases, busts, and more, which served as visual sources of inspiration for his work. It was this collection of artefacts and the archaeology behind them that inspired his metaphors for the process of delving into the unconscious mind and the excavation of the psyche.

Nonetheless, not everyone can have their very own collection of priceless statues and historical treasures. However, there are countless other little objects that people collect too.

The latest viral collectables, such as Sonny Angels and Smiskis, are an increasingly common thing for people to collect, especially among teenage girls. The ‘blind box’ element adds an even greater incentive to get more of them and try your luck. It seems as though more and more people are getting invested in this hobby of collecting, and for good reason.

Smiski Sunday Series. 

Smiskis are a collectible that has recently seen a surge in popularity due to its unique features. Although they were first created in 2009, they have only recently gone viral on social media. They are charming little bald figurines, with the ability to glow in the dark. They possess a wide variety of poses, all full of personality and capturing little snapshots in life, which contrasts with their blank faces and soulless eyes. Smiskis have been described as whimsical and aesthetically pleasing additions to households.

Sonny Angel Dinosaur Series. 

Sonny Angels is another viral sensation on social media platforms. They were, like the Smiskis, first created 20 years ago in 2005. The Sonny Angels are cherub-like figurines with tiny wings and a wide range of colourful headgear. Their popularity is attributed to their adorable baby-like features, cheeky smiles, and innocent aura. People online have described them as “a source of comfort and smiles, like an emotional support cherub”.

The Monsters COCA-COLA Series. 

Certain Popmart figurines have also gone viral. The Monsters Series, also known as Labubus, were propelled into the limelight after the K-pop idol LISA was seen carrying one around on her handbag. Labubus are furry, elf-like creatures with sharp teeth and massive grins. They have a uniquely playful and mischievous appearance, which makes them stand out from other Popmart figurines. Additionally, it has become a trend to film your Labubu in different countries when you go on vacation as if it was your travel companion.

Sylvanian Families. 

Sylvanian Families is a much older collectible. First created in 1985, this collectible is perhaps one that is more familiar to our parent’s generation, but its popularity remains steady even to this day. They hold a nostalgic appeal for many adults, reminding them of their childhood days. There is a wide variety of animal characters, some even coming with detailed houses, furniture, and vehicles. There is also significant appeal in the attention to detail in each set, as each character comes with intricate clothing and accessories. Sylvanian Families represent familial love and our connection to nature.

All in all, I find collecting to be a beautiful and entertaining hobby. Although collecting Sonny Angels, Smiskis, and other figurines like these have only gotten popular recently, humans have always collected and will continue to collect a wide assortment of things as long as they can. I believe that there is something out there for everybody, and there are endless possibilities for the things you can collect to bring joy and love into your life. I hope you can find the one for you, too!