Furla is an Italian leather goods brand founded in 1927 in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna. Its founder, Aldo Furlanetto, started the business by selling women's accessories wholesale. The first Furla store only opened in 1955. Its first bag collection appeared in the 1970s, when Aldo's children, Carlo, Paolo, and Giovanna, joined the family business. Since the early 1990s, Furla has opened stores and branches in various countries. Today the brand is known for its handbags and leather accessories. For secondhand buyers, Furla is a name that has worked in leather goods for almost a century, so the history and condition of each bag deserve a careful look before buying.
Read more
Furla began in Bologna in 1927. Aldo Furlanetto founded it as a wholesale business for women's accessories, not as a bag maker. The first Furla store opened in the same city in 1955. In the 1970s, his three children, Carlo, Paolo, and Giovanna, joined in running the business. In that same decade, Furla released its first bag collection.
Since the early 1990s, Furla has been opening stores and branches outside Italy. Its first flagship boutique opened in Bangkok in 2012 with a new store concept. A year later, Furla took over its own distribution in Hong Kong, Macau, and China. In 2015, Palazzo Furla opened in Milan. Giovanna Furlanetto also founded Fondazione Furla in 2008 to support young talent.
In recent years, Furla's attention has shifted to the production side. In 2018, the company took over the Effeuno Srl factory in Tuscany. In the same year, Furla Academy was launched together with ITS Mita to give young artisans academic education and technical training. In spring 2021, Furla opened Furla Progetto Italia, a 43,000 square meter complex in Tavarnelle Val di Pesa that also houses the academy. In 2019, Furla stated that it would use only faux fur in its collections. For secondhand bags, all of this helps us place the age and style of a bag within the brand's history.
Furla is currently empty. Preloved pieces arrive one at a time, check again after the next drop.
What we check before listing
We check the stitching: neat, even, and with no loose threads around the straps and corners. The label and brand print are looked at for letter clarity and placement. Hardware such as zippers, clasps, and rings is checked for function, smoothness, and plating that may be peeling. The parts that wear most often, namely the bag corners, strap edges, and inner lining, are examined up close. We also note any musty smell or stickiness in the material. All of this is our checking guide, not a guarantee of authenticity.
Caring for it
Store the bag in a cool, dry place, with paper stuffing so it keeps its shape. Wrap it in a cotton cloth, not a sealed plastic bag, so the material can breathe. Clean the leather with a soft, slightly damp cloth, then dry it in the shade. Avoid water, direct heat, and rubbing against dark clothing that may bleed color.
FAQ
Where does Furla come from?
Furla comes from Italy. The brand was founded in Bologna in 1927 by Aldo Furlanetto.
Since when has Furla made bags?
Furla started out selling women's accessories wholesale. Its first bag collection was released in the 1970s.
How can I make sure a secondhand Furla bag is authentic?
No single feature can serve as the only reference point. We check the stitching, label, hardware, and material as a whole, then compare them with the general condition of similar bags. That is a checking guide, not an absolute guarantee.
Is a secondhand Furla bag worth buying?
It can be, as long as the condition suits you. Look at the corners, straps, inner lining, and zipper, because these parts wear out fastest. Ask for detail photos if needed.
References
Facts summarised and rewritten from the sources above (CC BY-SA licence).