30-6-2023 (NEW YORK) A microscopic handbag, so small that it requires a microscope to be seen, has fetched over $63,000 (S$85,366) at an auction, showcasing the trend of ultra-tiny accessories reaching new heights.
Measuring less than 0.3 inches in width, the neon green bag is a miniature version of Louis Vuitton’s iconic OnTheGo tote and features the brand’s signature monogram. It was created by MSCHF, a New York-based art collective known for its unconventional creations, including the Birkinstocks—Birkenstock sandals made from Hermes Birkin bags—that made waves in 2021.
MSCHF took to Instagram to describe the bag as “smaller than a grain of sea salt and narrow enough to pass through the eye of a needle, this is a purse so small you’ll need a microscope to see it.” The Instagram post garnered playful reactions, with one comment reading, “Finally a bag that fits all this cash,” and another asking, “Can I pay with micro dollars for that?”
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According to MSCHF, the bag was initially created for musician Pharell Williams, who currently serves as the creative director of menswear at Louis Vuitton. Kevin Wiesner, the chief creative officer of MSCHF, explained that they made the bag for Williams, known for his penchant for oversized hats, as a playful twist. However, MSCHF did not seek permission from Louis Vuitton to use its logo on the miniature bag.
The bag serves as a commentary on the impracticality of luxury handbags shrinking in size. Wiesner expressed his thoughts on the evolving nature of bags, stating, “I think ‘bag’ is a funny object because it derives from something rigorously functional, but it has basically become jewellery.”
The auction for the tiny handbag was conducted by Joopiter, an online auction house founded by Pharell Williams. Joopiter confirmed that the bag sold for an impressive $63,750.
