Handbag, Tinier Than a Salt Crystal, Fetches Over $63,000
The world of luxury fashion witnessed an unusual event recently. An online auction saw a tiny handbag, almost invisible to the human eye, being sold for a whopping $63,000. This handbag, glowing with a fluorescent yellowish-green hue, measures a mere 657 by 222 by 700 microns. Interestingly, it mirrors a popular design from the renowned luxury brand, Louis Vuitton. However, the credit for this creation doesn’t go to the French fashion house. Instead, it’s the brainchild of a creative art collective based in New York City.
Crafting the Tiny Trendsetter
The bag was crafted using two-photon polymerisation, a technology that enables 3D printing of micro-scale plastic parts. The sale package included a microscope with a digital display, the only means to view this tiny fashion accessory. The bag’s design, visible in promotional photos, features Louis Vuitton’s iconic “LV” monogram, resembling the French label’s OnTheGo tote.
The Auction House: Joopiter’s Role
Joopiter, an online auction platform, was the stage for this unique sale. The platform is the brainchild of Pharrell Williams, a renowned American musician and designer. Interestingly, Williams also holds the position of Creative Director of Menswear at Louis Vuitton. Despite this connection, the creators of the micro-handbag, a New York art collective known as MSCHF, did not seek any approval. They boldly used the iconic logo and design of Louis Vuitton without obtaining any formal permission.
MSCHF: The Art Collective Behind the Microscopic Handbag
MSCHF, a New York-based art collective, has been stirring the pot since its inception in 2016. They’ve earned a reputation for their daring art projects that frequently poke fun at consumer capitalism. Their headline-grabbing “drops” have sparked controversy and conversation alike. One such notorious drop was the “Satan Shoes,” a provocative twist on Nike sneakers. These shoes, adorned with satanic symbols, even contained real human blood, pushing the boundaries of art and consumerism.
MSCHF’s Foray into Luxury Fashion
The collective has also targeted luxury fashion. In 2021, they transformed four Birkin handbags into sandals, priced up to $76,000 a pair. Their cartoonish rubber boots, known as “Big Red Boots,” went viral after being sported by celebrities like Doja Cat and Janelle Monáe.
The Statement: A Critique of Luxury Fashion
MSCHF’s statement on the microscopic handbag auction suggests that the fashion industry’s fascination with small bags has led to them becoming “purely a brand signifier.” The statement further adds, “‘Microscopic Handbag’ takes this to its full logical conclusion. A practical object is boiled down into jewellery, all of its putative function evaporated; for luxury objects, usability is the angels’ share.”
