Louis Vuitton-inspired handbag, smaller than a grain of rice, sells for whopping $63,000 at online auction

A tiny handbag, measuring a mere 657 by 222 by 700 microns (less than 0.0762 cmwide), has fetched a staggering price of over $63,000 in an online auction. The fluorescent yellowish-green bag, resembling a popular Louis Vuitton design, was created by the New York art collective MSCHF and not the luxury label itself.

Dubbed the "Microscopic Handbag," this minuscule creation by MSCHF is so small that it can pass through the eye of a needle and is even smaller than a grain of sea salt (although this may depend on personal salt preferences). The bag features Louis Vuitton's iconic "LV" monogram, as revealed in a promotional photo.

Manufactured using two-photon polymerization, a technology for 3D-printing micro-scale plastic parts, the handbag was sold alongside a microscope equipped with a digital display, allowing the buyer to view the intricate details of the bag.

The online auction, hosted by Joopiter, an auction house founded by musician and designer Pharrell Williams, saw the handbag attract significant attention. While Williams currently holds the position of creative director of menswear at Louis Vuitton, MSCHF's chief creative officer, Kevin Wiesner, stated that the art collective did not seek permission from Williams or the French fashion label to use their logo or design. Wiesner jokingly mentioned that the creation was inspired by Williams' fondness for big hats, offering him an incredibly small bag.

MSCHF, renowned for its provocative and satirical art projects that often critique consumer capitalism, has previously faced legal action from Nike over their "Satan Shoes" — modified Nike sneakers featuring satanic symbols and drops of real human blood. The dispute between MSCHF and Nike was eventually resolved out of court.

The art collective has also made waves in the luxury fashion realm. In 2021, they tore apart four Birkin handbags to create high-priced sandals, playfully dubbed "Birkinstocks," which were offered for up to $76,000 per pair. More recently, their whimsical rubber boots, known as "Big Red Boots," gained viral popularity after being worn by celebrities such as Doja Cat, Iggy Azalea, and Janelle Monáe.

MSCHF's latest creation, the Microscopic Handbag, challenges the notion of small bags in the fashion industry. The collective's statement accompanying the auction listing suggests that small handbags have become increasingly abstracted, reduced to mere brand signifiers. They argue that the Microscopic Handbag takes this trend to its logical extreme, transforming a functional object into jewelry, with its practicality completely evaporated. According to MSCHF, luxury objects like this embrace the essence of usability, becoming symbolic treasures.