Italian luxury fashion brand Prada has once again captured global attention, this time with a safety pin priced at nearly Rs. 69,000. The item, named the “Crochet Safety Pin Brooch,” is a simple brass pin wrapped in colorful crochet thread. It also features Prada’s small signature triangle logo. While the design is minimal, its price has left many people shocked.

In India, a regular pack of safety pins costs only Rs. 20 to Rs. 50. The huge price difference prompted widespread reactions on social media. Users flooded platforms with jokes, memes, and sarcastic comments. Many compared the safety pin to items made at home, with one remarking, “My grandmother made these while watching TV; should I start a luxury store now?” Another quipped, “Are luxury brands just trolling us?”

Fashion critics and bloggers have weighed in as well. Many say that selling everyday items at such high prices reflects the fashion industry running out of original ideas. One blogger described it as “not creativity, but absurdity.” Others argued that it highlights growing economic inequality, where the wealthy can buy mundane objects in expensive packaging.

Social media users commented, “Luxury brands used to sell dreams. Now they sell ordinary things at 1,000 times the cost.” The incident also reflects a growing trend of turning simple household items into symbols of high fashion. Gucci, for example, previously released a silver paper clip with its logo, priced around Rs. 33,000.

Prada has faced controversies before. Earlier, the brand received criticism for selling sandals resembling India’s traditional Kolhapuri chappals without crediting their cultural origin. Critics say that the recent safety pin release continues the pattern of luxury brands repackaging ordinary items as status symbols.

We welcome your contributions! Submit your blogs, opinion pieces, press releases, news story pitches, and news features to opinion@minutemirror.com.pk and minutemirrormail@gmail.com