Topo Designs’ Erica Cottrell focuses on durability and versatility in the brand’s festy gear.
With an art degree from CU Boulder and a design degree from Parsons in New York, Erica Cottrell leads a talented and energetic team at Topo Designs. She says her role as design manager is to continue Topo’s mission of “defining the new outdoor through bags and apparel.”
“Topo Designs was born in Colorado, so many facets of our company and our design process are influenced by who we are and where we’re from,” says Cottrell. “Inevitably, we consider the activities and sports that are popular here, as well as the lifestyle—the variety of things you can do here demand that your clothes and bags be versatile and durable, this drives many of our choices.”
When it comes to must-haves at festivals this season, Cottrell recommends the very packable Global Dress and the weather-ready Ultralight Jacket. For a bag, Topo’s most compact piece is the Mini Quick Pack with multiple carrying options and tons of organization pockets.
“It’s all you need for a phone, water bottle and wallet,” Cottrell says of the Mini Quick Pack. “You know, the essentials.” topodesigns.com
