After Rs 1.2 lakh ‘Kolhapuri’ sandals, Prada sparks outrage for selling a safety pin for over Rs 38,000

Earlier this year, the Italian fashion house came under fire for selling a copy of India’s traditional Kolhapuri chappals at approximately INR 1.2 lakh

A gold-colour metal brooch would cost you approximately INR 38,662.72 (Photo: Prada website)

Luxury fashion brand Prada recently made headlines for charging an exorbitant amount for an accessory as basic as a safety pin. Noting the unusually hefty price, a user on Instagram expressed her disappointment, saying, “Let’s examine the newest product from Prada. It’s a safety pin brooch for USD 775. I will once again ask rich people. What is it that you are doing with your money? Because if you can’t think of anything, then let me assure you the rest of us can. In all its seriousness, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry, which is often my response to things from Prada.“

Taking note of the viral claim, indianexpress.com checked out Prada’s official website and here’s what we found:

1) A gold-colour metal brooch would cost you no less than 380 EUR (approximately INR 38,662.72). To determine if it had anything unique contributing to its high cost, we checked its product details section, which only specifies, “Minimalist lines define this metal brooch with contemporary style decorated with the engraved lettering logo.”

A poplin and metal flower brooch would cost you close to INR 37,000 (Photo: Prada website)

And the unimaginably high pricing doesn’t end there.

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2) A Radzimir and metal flower brooch, along with a poplin and metal flower brooch, would also cost you close to INR 37,000, i.e. 360 EUR

The cost of a Radzimir and metal flower brooch is INR 37,000, i.e. 360 EUR. (Photo: Prada website)

ALSO READ | How Prada-Kolhapuri controversy exposes the continued exploitation of artisan communities

Not the first time

While the safety pin pricing has sparked fresh debate over the value of “luxury minimalism,” this isn’t the first time Prada has drawn criticism for its pricing and cultural insensitivity. Earlier this year, the Italian fashion house came under fire for selling a pair of sandals closely resembling India’s traditional Kolhapuri chappals — priced at around USD 785 (approximately INR 1.2 lakh). What caught attention wasn’t just the jaw-dropping price tag, but the lack of any reference to their Indian origin. The product, marketed as “Leather sandals,” bore a striking resemblance to the centuries-old handcrafted footwear made in Maharashtra.

Social media users and Indian designers quickly called out Prada for cultural appropriation — profiting off a design rooted in Indian craftsmanship while erasing its origins. The backlash was swift and intense, sparking global discussions about how luxury brands often repackage traditional and artisanal designs under their own labels without crediting the communities behind them.

Following the criticism, Prada acknowledged the design’s resemblance to India’s Kolhapuri heritage. The move, although subtle, was seen as a necessary step toward recognising the craftsmanship that has long inspired luxury fashion.

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