Singapore

The Furla Bellaria is a new mini crossbody bag for fall/winter 2018.

The Bellaria bag, with its carabiner-like buckles, is inspired by the world of climbing.

To start, artisans checks that all components are available to begin the assembling process.

After cleaning, the shoulder straps are hung from a rack to dry.

The straps are adjustable, able to hang low by the hip or tight by waist.

Artisans assemble the two main parts of the bag by smoothing one leather piece over another with a hammer.

They then brush the bag with glue on each side.

To secure the bind, the artisan applies pressure with a pincher.

This is done multiple times, all around the bag.

Each artisan spends more than 24-hours perfecting each bag.

To ensure strength and sturdiness, the artisan positions the leather under a sewing machine to join the sides of the bag together.

Then, the sides of the bag are painted by hand, in black.

After, the bag is placed gently in the oven roller, where it will stay for few minutes to dry.

To further refine the leather, the artisan uses a few specific machines. This one is called “Liscatura”.

The black metal plate and the buckle are attached to the leather with screws.

The Furla Bellaria is a new mini crossbody bag for fall/winter 2018.

The Bellaria bag, with its carabiner-like buckles, is inspired by the world of climbing.

To start, artisans checks that all components are available to begin the assembling process.

Pieces of leather, the black metal plate which bears the Furla logo, the buckle and the small metal accessories are first priority.

After cleaning, the shoulder straps are hung from a rack to dry.

The straps are adjustable, able to hang low by the hip or tight by waist.

Artisans assemble the two main parts of the bag by smoothing one leather piece over another with a hammer.

They then brush the bag with glue on each side.

No corners are missed.

To secure the bind, the artisan applies pressure with a pincher.

This is done multiple times, all around the bag.

Each artisan spends more than 24-hours perfecting each bag.

To ensure strength and sturdiness, the artisan positions the leather under a sewing machine to join the sides of the bag together.

Then, the sides of the bag are painted by hand, in black.

After, the bag is placed gently in the oven roller, where it will stay for few minutes to dry.

To further refine the leather, the artisan uses a few specific machines. This one is called “Liscatura”.

This one is called "Scardatura”.

The black metal plate and the buckle are attached to the leather with screws.

The construction is complete.

The final product.

Fashion | Accessories

Want to know how a leather bag is made? Furla takes us on a behind-the-scenes tour of the assemblage of Bellaria

Cut and dry

Text: Jolene Khor

Every bag worth buying should be assembled and perfected by hand. Furla's Bellaria crossbody is no different

The every man is not always granted an insider look of the making of fashion. Half the time, it's because not always a pretty process. Modern sweatshops is a thing, and so is child labour and working conditions that fall far below the acceptable margin. The other half of the time, artisanal expertise is so protected by traditional labels, they're practically trade secrets.

Italian bag brand Furla belongs to a league of its own. Yes, they may belong in the masstige market according to industry observers (especially considering their friendly price points). Yet this doesn't diminish the name, but acknowledges its positioning in accessibility and know-how.

Take the key bag from Furla's fall/winter 2018 collection, the Bellaria. The crossbody spares little expense of expertise, from the handling of the vegetable tanned leather to the construction of the refined double-buckle taken from climbers' carabineers. Bellaria's flap and body, front and back, are wrapped in Vacchetta leather, while the sides are soft Oasi leather. See how they all come together in the gallery above.

The Furla Bellaria bag is available in stores.