• A microscopic handbag inspired by Louis Vuitton’s OnTheGo tote, measuring less than 0.03 inches, costs over $63,000 and requires a microscope to view.
• Created by Brooklyn art collective MSCHF, the piece uses advanced 3D printing to challenge ideas of luxury and consumerism.
• MSCHF, known for provocative projects like the “Satan Shoes” and “Birkinstocks,” continues to blend fashion and satire with luxury brands like Louis Vuitton.

At first glance, it’s hard to believe. A handbag so tiny it could slip through the eye of a needle has fetched more than $63,000 at auction. Measuring just 657 by 222 by 700 microns—less than 0.03 inches—this minuscule accessory is smaller than a single grain of sea salt and practically invisible to the naked eye. Yet, this microscopic marvel has turned the luxury world on its head.

But don’t expect Louis Vuitton to take credit. While the fluorescent yellow-green bag mimics the French fashion house’s iconic style, complete with the classic “LV” monogram, it’s not from their atelier. Instead, it’s the latest provocation by MSCHF, a controversial Brooklyn-based art collective with a habit of ridiculing consumerism while cashing in on it.

A Luxury Handbag That Fits on the Head of a Pin

The “Microscopic Handbag,” as MSCHF calls it, isn’t designed to hold your lipstick or credit cards. In fact, it’s not designed to hold anything at all. You need a microscope—thankfully included with the purchase—to even lay eyes on the intricate detail of the piece, which resembles Louis Vuitton’s popular OnTheGo tote, normally priced between $3,100 and $4,300 in its full-size form.

Crafted using a high-tech process called two-photon polymerization, typically used to 3D-print micro-scale objects for scientific use, the handbag is more engineering feat than fashion statement. But its tiny size didn’t stop it from making a massive impact.

A promotional image of the bag—enlarged under magnification—reveals surprisingly sharp craftsmanship. It boasts the full monogram pattern, structure, and shape of a classic luxury tote, all impossibly squeezed into a space smaller than a human eyelash. It’s less an accessory and more a commentary.

The Art of Mocking Consumerism—And Profiting From It

MSCHF, founded in 2016, has built its reputation on satire and spectacle. The group thrives on “drops”—public stunts that often sell out instantly while drawing gasps, headlines, and lawsuits. They’re not just artists; they’re provocateurs, and their targets are often the very industries they profit from.

Their latest handbag stunt is no exception. By shrinking an object traditionally associated with status, excess, and wealth into something nearly invisible, they’ve sparked conversation about value, absurdity, and what really defines “luxury.” Is it the label? The craftsmanship? Or simply the price tag?

Reactions online have been a mix of amazement, confusion, and fury. Some called it a genius piece of modern art. Others slammed it as another example of the art world’s growing disconnect from reality. “Imagine spending \$63,000 on something you can’t even see without special equipment,” one social media user scoffed. “Rich people have run out of things to spend money on,” another wrote.

But the truth is, MSCHF knew exactly what they were doing. They weren’t just selling a bag—they were selling a headline, a moment, and a jab at a culture obsessed with labels.

Not Their First Rodeo: Blood Shoes, Birkinstocks, and Red Boots

This isn’t the first time MSCHF has blended fashion with shock value. They famously partnered with rapper Lil Nas X in 2021 to release the infamous “Satan Shoes”—a line of Nike Air Max sneakers modified with satanic symbols and a drop of real human blood. The stunt provoked massive backlash and a swift lawsuit from Nike. The matter was eventually settled, but the buzz was priceless.

Then there were the “Birkinstocks,” a Frankenstein-style project in which MSCHF took genuine Hermès Birkin bags—each worth tens of thousands—and chopped them up to create luxury sandals. Those sold for up to \$76,000 per pair and had fashion purists up in arms.

More recently, their cartoonish “Big Red Boots” went viral thanks to celebrities like Doja Cat, Iggy Azalea, and Janelle Monáe parading them on social media. With their absurd proportions and uncanny resemblance to something from Astro Boy, the boots became a symbol of fashion gone delightfully off the rails.

When Absurdity Becomes Art

To some, MSCHF’s antics are clever critiques of capitalism. To others, they’re pure hype machines taking advantage of art collectors’ willingness to spend big on the bizarre. But love them or hate them, they’ve mastered the art of turning mockery into money.

The microscopic handbag may be the group’s most outrageous statement yet—a luxury good so impractical, so unnecessary, and so outlandish that it forces viewers to pause and ask, “What exactly am I looking at?”

More importantly, “Why is it worth $63,000?”

The answer? Because someone was willing to pay that much. And in the art world—as in fashion—that’s all it takes.