On May 26, 2017, PopVinyls.com reported that Funko entered an agreement to acquire Loungefly, a fashion accessories company known for licensed handbags and wallets featuring Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Sanrio, and Pokémon characters.
CEO Brian Mariotti stated in the announcement that Funko had “long admired Loungefly” and saw the deal as a way to extend into the accessories category while combining Loungefly’s design work with Funko’s licensing portfolio and distribution network. Loungefly founder Trevor Schultz said Funko was “the ideal partner” for expanding the brand into new retail channels.
The acquisition fit a broader pattern for Funko in 2017: growth beyond core vinyl figures into adjacent pop-culture product categories. Loungefly continues to operate as a distinct accessories brand under Funko ownership, with products sold through specialty retailers, department stores, and online shops.
Collector takeaway
For Pop! collectors, the Loungefly deal explains why cross-branded bags, pins, and mini-backpacks often share the same licenses as nearby Funko figure displays. The two brands frequently coordinate on the same intellectual properties even though the product formats differ.
Read our original 2017 news write-up: Funko Announces Acquisition of Loungefly.
Sources
- PopVinyls.com, “Funko Announces Acquisition of Loungefly,” published May 26, 2017. Original article
- Press statements quoted in the May 26, 2017 PopVinyls.com report (Brian Mariotti, CEO of Funko; Trevor Schultz, founder of Loungefly).