Whimsical Bags for the Young at Heart

It may look as if she skinned stuffed animals to make them, but handbag designer Karan Feder assures that’s not the case.

Feder, who lives in L.A., has been turning out whimsical bags since May, using imitation yak, poodle, monkey, gorilla and afghan furs trimmed with wood grain, hula print, glitter, rainbow or ribbed vinyl handles--without ever setting foot in a toy store.

If you’re confused about whether these bags are for kids or adults, you aren’t alone. Feder’s clothing career began with children’s rainwear in 1996. She designed matching sets of hats, jackets and bags, but, she says, “it turns out the moms were buying the ensembles and keeping the bags for themselves. I thought, ‘Geez.’ ”

Last year Feder terminated her kids’ collection and spun off a new line called Karan Feder Hollywood, specializing in playful handbags for adults.

Why is she attracted to fake fur? Could it be that she’s just a big kid at heart? She claims it’s the texture. Plus, “it has movement when you walk. For a handbag, I love that.”

The 36-year-old actually began in costume design, working on Mitzi Gaynor’s traveling road show for two years after graduating from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles.

“It just seemed there were very few rules in costume design as opposed to fashion,” she recalls. She designed costumes for films, television and theater--even the Ice Capades--before switching to accessories.

Feder’s bags are priced from $10 to $50 and are available at Fred Segal, Barneys and Nana. For more information: (310) 472-0797 or https://www.karanfeder.com.