The Furla Metropolis Sold a Million in Its First Year. Here's What Made It Work

Most bags that sell a million units get there by playing it safe. The Furla Metropolis got there by being small, slightly architectural and — the part most people forget — designed to be taken apart.

WWD reported that the Metropolis sold more than a million pieces in the year it launched. For a house that has always favoured real craftsmanship at sensible prices over chasing exclusivity, it became the clearest expression of that idea.

A Small Bag Built Like a System

The Metropolis was created in 2014 by Furla's then creative director Fabio Fusi: a compact, structured bag with a chain strap and a gleaming metal clasp at the centre of the flap.

What made it different was the logic behind it. Body, flap and strap were treated as separate components, which meant the bag could be personalised — and Furla could keep reinventing it without ever redesigning it.

The clearest example came in 2017, for the brand's 90th anniversary. Fusi designed nine limited-edition flaps, one for each decade since Furla's founding in 1927, each inspired by the music of its era — the Charleston and Art Deco, jazz, rock 'n' roll, disco, punk, hip-hop — with the last one dedicated to the age of technology rather than a sound.

The idea outlived the anniversary. For Spring/Summer 2023, Furla introduced the softer, bow-shaped Metropolis Remix— and kept the same clasp. That tells you which element the house considers the signature.

Anatomy of an Authentic Metropolis

Because the bag is so compact, every element is on show at once. That makes it one of the easier bags to read closely.

The clasp. It's the bag's signature, and the one element Furla carried into the Remix. It should feel solid rather than hollow, with an even finish and cleanly defined details, and it should close with a firm, precise action — no rattle, no play.

The flap. It should sit flush and centred over the body, with neatly finished edges. One nuance specific to this bag: a flap in a contrasting colour or material isn't automatically a warning sign — the Metropolis was designed to be customised. Judge the quality of the finish, not whether it matches.

The body. Structured, with crisp corners and straight lines that hold their shape even when the bag is empty. The leather grain should be consistent across the whole surface.

The chain. Links should be uniform in size and finish, securely attached, and the same tone as the clasp. Mismatched metal tones are a common sign of cheaper hardware.

The interior. Neat lining, straight seams and a clean, legible brand stamp. The inside of a bag is where shortcuts hide.

How to Wear It

The Metropolis carries the essentials and not much more — which is exactly why it moves so easily between settings. Depending on the size, it's worn on the shoulder or crossbody, and the chain takes it from day to evening without looking like a compromise. If you only own one, a neutral body with a flap that carries the personality is the most versatile combination.

A Note on Price

Furla already sits at the accessible end of Italian leather goods, so a genuine Metropolis below retail is entirely plausible. One priced at a small fraction of what the brand itself charges is not — and on a bag this recognisable, that gap deserves an explanation.

The Metropolis at Aulæ

The Metropolis appears in our Furla selection as pieces come in, so the collection page is always the accurate picture of what's available. Every piece comes with a certificate of authenticity, and prices typically sit below boutique retail.

If the Metropolis isn't quite the shape you're after, compare it with our shoulder bags. And if you enjoy the stories behind designs, the Bottega Veneta Cassette took a very different road to icon status.

Explore Furla at Aulæ →