[unpaid/sample] Italian leather brand, Furla, is probably best known for its impeccably crafted handbags. Furla, as a brand, began in Bologna in 1927 and is still run by the Furlanetto family today (from the most stunning villa) who are heavily involved in modern art – an inspiration for the collection. The bags sit on the more accessible point for luxury goods with a design aesthetic that runs through classic carry shapes to practical cross bodies with some whimsical (owls and peacocks for example) moments too.
Fragrance seems like a natural next step for the brand and they have roared into the fragrance market like a lion with five strong blends that are also accessibly priced. A 30ml bottle is £40, with 10ml at £17 and a discovery set of 5 x 5ml at £34 which is where I’d be inclined to start. Furla is definitely keeping its Italian roots at the fore – the names of the perfumes are Romantica, Magnifica (which I have here), Preziosa, Irresistible and Favolosa and I like to think everyone has a bit of favolosa in them!
Speaking specifically about Magnifica, it’s a blend of citrus, lavender and peach with jasmine and lily of the valley. I think jasmine can rescue just about anything but it’s just a bit too much on the vanilla side for my personal taste. I think I’m better suited to Favolosa (yay!) with notes of grapefruit and mandarin leading through peony to white musk. Preziosa is a more delicate floral with geranium and rose predominating – but lightly – while suede takes the edge of the vanilla notes. Irresistible is the more heady of the five with an aquatic aspect combining lily, orange flower, camelia and tuberose although the first note you will smell is tuberose. Romantica is based on peony with fruity notes of blackcurrant – the base is sandalwood and vanilla. If you like the warmth and creaminess vanilla can bring, then I’d edge you towards Magnifica and Romantica, although I do note that the vanilla gets more gentle in the wear with Magnifica.
The bottle has the same clean lines as Furla bags tend to have – it has a beautiful curve at the top – an arch being a favoured Furla symbol. Each bottle has a different pastel shade textile wrapped around the sides that ties into a handbag in the collection – the Candy Rose bag is Magnifica’s partner in fashion. Preziosa is predicted to be the best seller, by the way. They look, in my view, more expensive than they are. I’d still recommend the Discovery Set because these fragrances are all very different (with different noses at the helm). Their retailer is Next so it’s definitely edging for an elevated presence in the high street category but I think it’s more premium than that. If we still had Debenhams and HoF, it would have been a natural fit there. The ceramic tester is a gift with purchase – you can spritz your fragrance onto it (ceramic holds fragrance really well) and tie it in your wardrobe or pop it in a drawer. Head HERE.
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