For summer, mini is BIG - Italian brand makes mini-versions of its famous Candy jelly bag and others

Candy Furla Vanilla Cartoon mini satchel in Speed + Hibiscus (Photos courtesy of Furla/SSI)

When it comes to bags this summer, small is big.

So much so that the Italian brand Furla (pronounced FÜR-lah) has created teeny-weeny versions of some of its most popular styles, including the jelly bag, Candy, in a variety of colors inspired by the Neo-Pop art movement.

The mini-Candy satchel is like a little purse for the big girl, with a width slightly longer than one’s palm, but roomy enough to fit an iPhone 6, lipstick and powder, keys, credit cards and some paper bills. It comes with a detachable shoulder strap.

Other variants of the mini-Candy, which debuted in 2011, are adorned with resin bubbles. Another is a crossbody top handle style with a front clasp; some have contrast-color matte PVC or resin accents.
The mini size also comes in the Metropolis calf leather style in contrast-color or monotone skins with metal chain straps.

If a minute purse just won’t cut it for one’s hectic lifestyle, Furla combines the functionality of a tote and the trendy versatility of the bucket in its new Twist bag, a roomy style with multiple inner pockets.

There’s also the casual Spy style, a backpack in either perforated leather or with metal studs, or in monotone calf with a metal chain top handle.

Furla, founded in 1927 by the Furlanetto family in Bologna, Italy, marks its 88th anniversary with the release of the limited-edition 88 Piper Bag.

The Piper is a Furla classic, and the 88thanniversary version comes in the royal color purple and has a “double 8” golden metal plaque and key chain, auspicious in Chinese culture.

A purchase of the 88 Piper entitles the buyer to a regional raffle that will give away a luxury trip to Milan—business-class air tickets for two, three-night stay at the Four Seasons Milano, and shopping voucher at the Furla flagship in Milan—and handbags and small leathergoods as minor prizes.

A customer simply has to purchase an 88 Piper—there are only 24 pieces allotted for the Philippines—or accumulate the price equivalent (P31,500) until May 31, to qualify.

And to add to its limited collection, Furla also has handpainted totes, inspired further by Neo-Pop. One style called Vertigo was shown at the press launch, a white tote with hand-applied splotches and brushstrokes of acrylic paint. On its back was embossed the numbers 17/395, to signify its limited number.

And if one wishes to experience Furla’s brand of la dolce vita, Raffles Makati is holding its second “Pret-a-Portea” series at the Writers Bar with Furla until May 16 (call 7951840), an afternoon tea with sweet and savory confections inspired by the Italian brand’s Neo-Pop collection.