That fashion is outlandish is a universally accepted truth, which is why the fashion-forward won’t hesitate to splurge $1,000 and upwards on GPU purses. Those with a flair for the eccentric will be instantly drawn to these quirky accessories, featuring outdated PC graphics cards as the centerpiece. Thankfully, the GPU Purses website, created by Theresa Barton, a research scientist at AI platform Databricks, offers these avant-garde creations “for the GPU rich.” Her designs feature a transparent rectangular shell, perfectly fitted with the GPU inside, and come with the option of long or short straps.
The most expensive in the collection is the H100 Purse, which contains the Nvidia H100 processor, the powerhouse behind ChatGPT-4, making it a one-of-a-kind training GPU. This explains its staggering price tag of $66,000.
For that astronomical sum, I’d rather buy a Hermès Birkin or an entire wardrobe of unconventional yet charming bags from renowned luxury brands like the Balenciaga Lay’s Potato Chip Bag Clutch ($1,800), the Louis Vuitton ‘Trash Bag’ Bag ($2,000), the Moschino Milk Carton Bag ($1,000), or even the Vetements ‘DHL’ Pouch ($1,000) and still save money.
That said, style alone doesn’t drive everyone. The GPU couture offers more than just flair. As Barton explained in an interview with the Financial Times, “You can’t buy a Chanel bag in Silicon Valley… you will be looked down upon.” She added, “If you wear the GPU bag, you will be approached… I can’t explain how many men will talk to you.”
While this may draw attention from men, impressing the fashion world’s women is a whole different challenge. Barton boasts a master’s degree in Computer Science from Brown University and has also worked at Pixar, SpaceX, Tinder, and Snapchat.
