Is it believable that a handbag, so small that it cannot even be seen with the naked eye, is worth more than a car? A controversial microscopic handbag created by Mischief (MSCHF) was sold for over 63,000 United States dollars (USD) at an online auction on June 15, 2023. The yellowish-green bag with a Louis Vuitton logo was made using a three-dimensional (3D) printer to satirize society’s obsession with luxury goods. However, because it is less than 0.03 inches wide, it fails to effectively convey its intended message, leading to mixed reactions from the public.

The April 2022 issue of The Granite Tower (GT) shed light on the new societal trend of young adults spending a big part of their income on luxury goods, despite the prevailing housing and job crises of the century. This trend is particularly prevalent among both the millennials and Generation Z, also known as the MZ generation in Korea, who exhibit a heightened preoccupation with material wealth. As a result, there has been a surge in the popularity of products that prioritize brand value over their original functionality. MSCHF’s microscopic handbag has also been introduced within the trend of luxuries, along with a huge number of corporations trying to appeal to and attract the MZ generation with branded names.

However, the diminutive size of this handbag – smaller than a grain of sea salt – and its loose association with the luxury brand through a tiny logo, have prompted inquiries into its worth. While some thought that the bag carries a meaningful satire of society, others find its price unjustifiable and absolutely ridiculous. I concur with the latter viewpoint, as its chosen method of showcasing value is unsuitable despite the bag’s attempt to convey a significant message. In short, this bag is just another unique form of overwhelmingly expensive luxury with a price that lacks sufficient justification.

In fact, despite its dysfunctional aspect, I believe that a major reason that people were attracted to this bag is its scarcity. However, this bag barely contains artistic value since it cannot be seen with the naked eye and therefore fails to gain sympathy from the public. As a result, this handbag being sold in an online auction reminds people of nothing more than a luxury item being sold at a ridiculous price. To achieve MSCHF’s original purpose of creating a satirical display of the society, an exhibition should have preceded the auction. Otherwise, it will just be considered another valueless form of product claiming to be art.

Additionally, BBC has reported that MSCHF’s chief creative officer, Kevin Wiesner, admitted that they have not sought permission from Louis Vuitton to use their logo on the bag. Hence, in addition to the ambiguous conveyance of its message, the ethical implications of the bag are raising concerns. Without the copyright issue resolved, the value of the microscopic handbag will not be given a chance to be recognized.

Despite its original intention to satirize the emerging cultural phenomenon of excessive consumerism, the meaning has not been clearly delivered due to it being sold at a ridiculously high price which contradicts its initial purpose. Consequently, this handbag is now being perceived as yet another example of an outrageously expensive luxury item, further compounded by copyright concerns that have undermined its authenticity. Hence, given the lack of clarity on its purpose, I firmly believe that this handbag is not worth its price.