‘Grandma used to make those’: Netizens react to Prada's new ₹69,000 safety pin brooch

`Months after its ₹1.2 lakh ‘Kolhapuri’ sandals controversy, Italian luxury fashion brand Prada is back in the spotlight, this time for a humble safety pin turned luxury brooch.

The latest launch is a “Crochet Safety Pin Brooch”, which features a simple safety pin wrapped in colourful crochet cord and adorned with a Prada charm. What caught everyone's attention on the internet is its jaw-dropping prize – $775 or a whopping ₹68,758 (approx).

The extraordinary price tag led to a wave of reactions online, with many in India comparing the cost to the mere ₹20-₹50 that a typical pack of dozens of safety pins costs in the local market.

Users on social media branded the product 'andhadhun lootmaar (reckless robbery) and shared jokes and memes about the pricing. Some users even posted tutorials on how to recreate the accessory at home in under a few minutes.

BlackSwanSazy, a fashion influencer on Instagram, shared a reel mocking the accessory. "I will once again ask rich people what it is that you are doing with your money. Because if you can't think of anything, I assure you the rest of us can," she can be heard saying in the now-viral clip.

In a Facebook post, another user wrote, "Luxury brand Prada has launched a safety pin that costs around ₹69,000. A similar safety pin is available in India for just one rupee."

An X user also joked about the pin, writing, "Prada really out here selling crochet safety pins for 70K. My grandma used to make those while watching Saas-Bahu dramas."

Prada really out here selling crochet safety pins for 70K. My grandma used to make those while watching Saas-Bahu dramas ???? pic.twitter.com/jlgjJ60jad

— Devanshu Kumar (@oldschoolguy__) November 5, 2025

“Prada crochet safety pin brooch for $775. IT'S BRASS & COTTON. Anyone willing to buy? I'll make you this in gold & silver,” an individual posted.

Prada crochet safety pin Brooch for $775. IT'S BRASS

& COTTON.

Anyone willing to buy? I'll make you this in gold & silver. pic.twitter.com/WfmvGt495U

— Release Imran Khan ✌️ (@hinasafi) October 24, 2025

Sharing the picture of the luxury brooch, a user said, "Hey #Prada I Can Supply Pins For You at a Good Deal Price...come sign a contract with me.”

"I thought I had seen everything until I saw this! Ladies and gentlemen, Prada Crochet Safety Pin for $775, that is ₹69000, that is 674,€ that is 2850AED!" another added.

I thought i had seen everything until i saw this!

Ladies and gentlemen, Prada Crochet Safety Pin for 775$ that is 69000₹ that is 674€ that is 2850AED! pic.twitter.com/jDJwcmE1KP

— Sarah (@rantingaksh) November 4, 2025

Earlier, Prada faced criticism for selling items that resembled common, affordable Indian staples, Kolhapuri-style sandals, for exorbitant prices.

Prada launched the product during Milan Fashion Week, when its models walked the runway wearing the toe-braided sandal. Despite similarities with the famed Kolhapuri chappal from Maharashtra's Kolhapur, the footwear carried no mention of its Indian origin, prompting a backlash.

Later, Prada issued a statement and acknowledged the sandals' origins, saying it was open to a "dialogue for meaningful exchange with local Indian artisans".

Prior to this, when Prada unveiled the ‘Pradamalia’ collection in 2018, keychains and figurines that resembled racial caricatures with exaggerated red lips immediately drew comparisons with blackface imagery. Later, the brand removed the products from stores and apologised in public following the outcry.