The history of Furla begins in Italy in 1927 in the erudite and sophisticated city of Bologna. Protagonists Aldo and Margherita Fulanetto set themselves the challenge of starting a company- one that was eventually to grow into a world-renowned leather-goods brand. It was the post-war period and the company aimed to provide women with any type of fashion object or accessory that they may desire. In 1955, Aldo opened the first Furla store on Via Ugo Bassi in the heart of Bologna.

In the Nineteen Seventies, when the baton was passed on to his children Giovanna, Carlo and Paolo Furlanetto, the first collection of bags marked with the Furla logo was launched. The collections grew at the same pace as the company. It was the dawning of the Nineteen Eighties. Giovanna flanked her father with her own stylistic contributions, while Carlo and Paolo were mostly in charge of the brand’s strategy for growth.

After Bologna, Rome and Paris, the store on Madison Avenue in New York was opened. In the Nineteen Eighties a far-sighted distribution network was in the planning stages. Today it covers no less than 63 foreign markets from Europe to Asia and the United States, with 5 subsidiaries, 319 single-brand Furla boutiques positioned on the most important international shopping streets and 1,290 sales outlets from shops to department stores. In late 2008 the company also inaugurated its pan-European web boutique and an international expansion plan that saw the opening of major flagship stores in Rome, London, Hong Kong and Beijing.

In 2008 the Fondazione Furla was created which promotes the Premio Furla per l'Arte award aimed at emerging Italian artists on the contemporary scene. In the meantime, the international commercial and distribution strategies have led- and continue to lead- to growing success.

In 2011 the company recorded a turnover of 179 million Euros, a goal achieved with full respect for the Italian design that remains at the heart of every decision.