An influencer has turned heads online after revealing a handbag modeled after the OceanGate submersible completely covered in rhinestones.
In June 2023, the OceanGate Titan submersible imploded during a voyage to the Titanic wreck, killing all five people on board. The disaster dominated headlines and sparked widespread conversations about deep-sea exploration, safety, and the company’s controversial practices.
Meanwhile, TikTok creator Emma Lauren Rhinestone Artist has built a following for her extravagant, crystal-studded art projects. Known for painstakingly bedazzling everyday objects into glittering statement pieces, she often shares behind-the-scenes videos of her work with thousands of viewers.
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Bedazzled OceanGate purse stuns
Emma first announced her rhinestone OceanGate handbag on March 28, 2024, teasing her followers with progress updates throughout the year. After months of cutting, gluing, and placing crystals one by one, she finally revealed the completed bag on August 31, 2025.
The shimmering piece quickly spread from TikTok to Threads to X, with many fans praising her craftsmanship and sense of humor. Comments like “You’re crushing it” and “Needs a controller bag charm” highlight the lighthearted reactions.
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But not everyone was amused. Some users accused Emma of making light of a real tragedy, calling the OceanGate-inspired purse “disrespectful” and “tasteless.”
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Many comments claim the purse looks to be better quality than the original sub. Even Emma responded to one of these comments, stating “Imagine if they let me rhinestone the real one instead of using it? Missed opportunity.”
The rhinestone tribute arrives as Titanic tourism makes headlines again, with reports of a mystery billionaire planning another deep-sea dive just two years after the OceanGate tragedy.