Prada, LV, Balenciaga and more: Fashion releases that divided the internet in 2025

Fashion releases of 2025 didn’t just spark trends, it sparked arguments. Luxury houses like LV and Prada reinterpreted everyday objects and ended up blurring the lines between art and utility. Social media timelines were filled with debates over value, cultural context and design intent.

Several releases this year were dissected, debated and meme-ified. As digital platform continues to shape public opinion, fashion releases are increasingly judged in real time. Inspiration, pricing and functionality are scrutinized alongside aesthetics. In 2025, a number of launches stood out not because of unanimous praise, but because it split opinion sharply, revealing how polarising modern fashion has become.

Below is a look at fashion releases that generated the most debate online this year:

1. Prada – Kolhapuri Sandals

Prada’s luxury spin on the traditional Kolhapuri chappals, priced at around $930 drew attention for its clear difference from the original handcrafted footwear, which usually sells for under Rs. 500 in Maharashtra. The release sparked discussions about cultural appropriation, crediting, and the growing divide between craft and luxury pricing.

https://x.com/hvgoenka/status/1938267500875325808?s=20

2. Prada: Crochet Safety-Pin broach

With a price set at $775 (₹60,000+), Prada was widely scrutinized online for selling a simple safety pin with some crocheting. Questions were asked about the perceived value of luxury fashion. “Can a safety pin cost so much, just because Prada made it?”

https://x.com/ShefVaidya/status/2004169348718723473?s=20

3. Louis Vuitton: Auto-rickshaw bag

Louis Vuitton's auto-rickshaw-shaped handbag, priced between $35,000 and $40,000 (₹29–33 lakh), had divided social media in both praise and criticism. Some thought it was a great amount of playful experimentation, while others felt that an easily recognizable cultural signifier had been turned into an expensive plaything no one would get to have, rehashing arguments on representation in global luxury.

https://x.com/uninformer/status/1942490067441684740?s=20

4. Coperni: Half-legged jeans

Coperni’s asymmetrical jeans, where one leg was full and the other was cropped, cost around 450 USD ( Rs36,000 – Rs42,000). The look polarized opinions, with fashion’s experimentation appreciated by some, whereas the usability of such styles was questioned.

https://x.com/Prisblader/status/1900303715640418699?s=20

5. The Row: Ama foam sliders

The AMA foam sliders at around £600 (₹63,000 to ₹65,000) became the talking point as they looking quite similar to regular sliders that may not put a hole in your pocket. It reflected the industry’s ongoing dialogue between form, function and perception.

6. Balenciaga: Heeled Sneakers

The heeled sneakers of Balenciaga that cost between 900 dollars and 1,100 dollars (₹75,000-₹92,000). The mixed reactions were over design's ability to make a statement through shock value and whether functionality has been sidelined.

https://x.com/hunchochoppah/status/1980249395183370743?s=20

7. SKIMS: ‘Ultimate Bush’ micro thong

The ‘Ultimate Bush’ micro thong from SKIMS, costing $65-75 (₹5,000-₹6,200), created a sensation and evoked reactions owing to its provocative nature. Its launch raised questions about the impact of body politics and how far can a brand push in the name of visibility.

8. Apple × Issey Miyake: iPhone Pocket

Though not very controversial, the iPhone Pocket, which was a knitted phone pouch that cost between $150 and $230 (₹12,500–₹19,000), was where fashion and technology collided. While some thought of it as a fashionable accessory, others thought it was completely unnecessary.

https://x.com/StyleListings/status/1990661652992381056?s=20

The backlash and the debate around these releases point out something larger: a change in the way fashion is consumed and talked about. In 2025, products weren't evaluated solely based on design merit but on context - cultural, economic, and social.