Family-run Italian leather goods label Furla is being brought back onto Malaysian shores at the end of this year! I had the privilege to preview Furla’s Fall/Winter 2013 collection (along with other members of the media) at the recent press preview held at the end of last month at the Wei-Ling Contemporary art space at The Gardens Mall.

Furla’s Fall/Winter 2013 presentation venue was divided into 3 areas, and organised into their respective collections,  with bags displayed on tables, and above them, the video installation that was projected onto the wall, showing the inspirations for each collection. Filmed entirely in black-and-white, the videos were a collaboration with contemporary artist Davide Bedoni, as part of the Fondazione Furla and their ongoing commitment to the support of young talents. Known for his photography, videography and art direction, Bedoni’s videos were the backbones to Furla’s Fall/Winter collection.

First, the Siberian tiger, which were one of the key themes and inspirations for Furla’s Fall/Winter 2013 collection was set up in the middle of the presentation space. The video, too, depicted a real SIberian tiger weighing in at 210kg brought in from Germany, which was filmed at an ice rink measuring 150 square metres that was set up as a photographic studio. Guido Smider, known for his acoustic atmospheres, provided the soundtrack to Bedoni’s video. While the collection is known as the Siberian Tiger, the animal prints seemed to reflect that of a leopard rather than a tiger.

The Zizi clutch, RM 1,450

The second sub-collection from FW13 was inspired by Winter Sports. The video depicted an ice-skater and a flower that echoes her elegant movements. For this video, Bedoni makes use of the slow motion technique. There was an emphasis on black for the collection, but with striking pops of colour such as cobalt blue, aubergine, a shade of orange that was almost Vermillion, and a deep burgundy, that resulted in a colour-blocked collection that resembles movement.

My favourite from the FW13 collection, the “Venus” in blue pony hair. Solid leather bi-colour version retails for RM 2,600.

The It bag for FW13, the Cortina

Last but certainly not the least, is the latest Furla icon – the Candy bags. For this collection Bedoni focuses on sunset. This was translated into the ombré effect technique, that symbolised the sun setting on the horizon, hence colours bleeding and meshing into each other achieved by the gradient effects and colour gradations. New for the season is the Candy Cookie (the mini version of the original Candy bag) and the Backpack which can also be carried like a top handle bag (also the most popular style from the Candy collection in Japan)

Size comparison: Candy (behind) and the miniature Candy Cookie

Side view of the Backpack

Furla will be opening at Bangsar Village and Pavilion in December! You’d also be glad to know that they have an outlet at the Johor Premium Outlets Mall as well!

Thanks to Furla for having me at the FW13 press preview!

All images by Bag Addicts Anonymous