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Miu Miu’s 9,550 yuan knitted mules sparked heated debate because their shape resembled the traditional “chicken shoes” of Sichuan and Chongqing. Netizens ridiculed the brand for being too high, while the brand responded that the price includes processing and delivery costs.
Italy The new Fall 2026 “Desert Beige Knit Mules” launched by the luxury brand Miu Miu has caused widespread discussion recently. This women’s shoe, which sells for up to 9,550 yuan (about US$1,430), uses thick knitted beige wool, a round toe cap, and a heelless half-drawn shape. It is said to resemble the traditional hand-woven “chip shoes” in Sichuan and Chongqing. A large number of netizens questioned the integrity of its design and the brand premium.
According to Red Star News, in the face of the controversy caused by the appearance and high price of the product, Miu Miu’s official website customer service responded that women’s shoes are made of fabric, which is both comfortable and light, and the thermal insulation effect needs to be determined by real effort. Customer service further explained that the product’s price adjustment is the result of multiple factors such as new material research and development testing, specific production technology, and high-level delivery, and emphasized that “the value of the product cannot be measured by price alone.”
However, the brand did not reveal whether the design inspiration came from folk utensils or not.
The sharp contrast between the new luxury shoes and the local folk items caused many netizens to comment and ridicule, “Aren’t these just my mother-in-law’s shoes?”, “Call my grandma to make a pair and save 9,500 in seconds”, “Why do foreign brands always use our old things?” West, just hang a brand and it will sell at a very high price.” Some netizens jokingly commented, “These foreign brands should not be allowed to come to the county farmer’s market. Designers must rely on going to the market to collect styles. After shopping, everyone will be filled with inspiration.” “Add a brand name and make a net profit of ₹9,500.”
In Sichuan and Chongqing dialects, a hen hatching eggs is called a “hen-keeping woman”. The thick woolen cotton shoes with velvet inside are hand made by the local older generation. They are affectionately known as “chicken shoes” because they are round and thick in appearance and resemble the posture of a hen while incubating an egg. The market price is usually only tens to tens of yuan. It is a warm winter home shoe with local characteristics and vintage feelings.
The incident also sparked discussion on the design and market positioning of luxury brands. Some commentators believe that it is quite common for fashion to borrow the form of folk pottery, and that clothing technology and brand positioning belong to different tracks. However, some voices point out that luxury brands have preferred to bring traditional domestic rustic elements into the show in recent years. There is only a difference of one point between a handmade model worth tens of yuan and a luxury brand product worth about 10,000 yuan. This price difference and controversy could be just the market popularity the brand is seeking.
Summary FAQ
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Because it sells for up to 9,550 yuan, and its appearance is said to be similar to the traditional hand-woven zippo shoes in Sichuan and Chongqing, it forms a strong distinction between luxury brands and everyday folk shoes.
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Miu Miu customer service said the shoes are made of fabric, which is both comfortable and lightweight. The price is influenced by factors such as new material research and development testing, specific production technology, and high-level distribution, and it is emphasized that the value cannot be evaluated based on price alone.
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Zippo shoes are thick woolen cotton shoes with velvet inside that are hand-woven by the older generation of local people. They are so named because they look like a hen hatching an egg. They are warm shoes for home use in winter. The market price is usually only ten yuan to more than tens of yuan.
