NEW YORK — MSCHF, a New York-based art collective known for its irreverent and provocative creations, has sold a minuscule handbag resembling a Louis Vuitton design for over $63,000 at an online auction on Wednesday, June 28, 2023.
Named “Microscopic Handbag,” this fluorescent yellowish-green bag measures a mere 657 by 222 by 700 microns, making it less than 0.03 inches wide.
The creation is so tiny that it is claimed to be narrow enough to pass through the eye of a needle and is even smaller than a grain of sea salt.
This Lilliputian luxury was manufactured using two-photon polymerization, an advanced 3D-printing technology used for creating micro-scale plastic parts.
Notably, the handbag was sold alongside a microscope equipped with a digital display, which is essential for viewing this barely visible accessory.
Though it echoes a popular Louis Vuitton design, the microscopic handbag is not the handiwork of the renowned luxury label, but rather the brainchild of MSCHF.
A promotional photo reveals a design reminiscent of Louis Vuitton’s signature “LV” monogram and seems to be inspired by the French label’s OnTheGo tote, which is available in its regular size for between $3,100 and $4,300.
The auction was hosted by Joopiter, an online auction house founded by American musician, record producer, and designer Pharrell Williams, who is also Louis Vuitton’s creative director of menswear.
Interestingly, MSCHF’s chief creative officer, Kevin Wiesner, stated that neither Pharrell Williams nor Louis Vuitton was approached for permission to use the logo or design.
“Pharrell loves big hats, so we made him an incredibly small bag,” Wiesner humorously commented to the New York Times.
Established in 2016, MSCHF has garnered attention for its audacious art projects termed “drops,” which often critique and capitalize on consumer culture.
Notably, the collective was previously sued by Nike over its “Satan Shoes,” which featured satanic symbols and real human blood. The matter was settled out of court.
MSCHF has also dabbled in luxury fashion with its audacious creations.
In 2021, it repurposed four Birkin handbags to create sandals priced up to $76,000 a pair.
More recently, its oversized rubber boots became a viral sensation, donned by celebrities like Doja Cat, Iggy Azalea, and Janelle Monáe.
In a statement accompanying the auction listing, MSCHF remarked that the fashion industry’s affinity for small bags has been “steadily more abstracted” to the extent that they now serve primarily as brand signifiers.
The “Microscopic Handbag” epitomizes this trend, transforming a functional item into an emblem of luxury.
As the lines between art and fashion continue to blur, creations like the “Microscopic Handbag” compel us to contemplate the value, functionality, and symbolic nature of luxury goods.
