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There’s a certain irony to the fact that patches – those fabric badges traditionally earned through accomplishment, collected from far-flung corners of the globe, or stitched on after a particularly memorable detour – have become something you can pick up at any gift shop. But when Topo Designs approached us about creating “a tote built for chasing curiosity, embracing the unexpected, and finding beauty wherever you roam,” the result was better than we expected.
So why Topo? Well it just made sense. Beloved outdoor lifestyle brand? check. Enough years building bags from scratch that are equal parts form and function? check. Durable enough for the trails, stylish enough for the commute, and designed with the kind of thoughtful details that suggest someone actually uses these things. (And the fact that the bags are made from 100% recycled nylon doesn’t hurt either!)
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As with every collaboration worth doing, we had to make sure the Community was involved – so at the heart of the design are the patches. Each embroidered patch is inspired by real photos submitted by the AWA Community that have graced the pages of our books, website and Instagram, transforming the Community’s vast archive of peculiar places into wearable talismans.
From New South Wales’ Cape Byron Lighthouse courtesy of Clarice Cho to New Hampshire’s Hostess cupcake Motel that Brandon Fritas captured so well. The lineup spans continents and curiosities climbing the heights of Hatcher Pass Lodge with Beau Kang before circumventing the globe to ride the rails of the Jianshui Old Train with Austin Pietrobono. And last but very much not least, how could we forget our very own Adventures’ book cover courtesy of Heather Varner?
There’s something satisfying about a collaboration that doesn’t just slap a logo on existing product and call it a day. This capsule is two brands that share a vocabulary – curiosity, craftsmanship, a certain appetite for the unconventional – and decided to make something together that honors both.
The collection is available now on both Topo Designs’ site and of course in our very own shop. If you’ve ever wanted to carry a piece of the AWA universe with you on your Adventures, this might be your chance.
