TORRAIN is all about keeping it real and embracing the spirit of adventure.
Fueled by a love for design, sustainability, and exploration, we've teamed up with talented artisans in Cambodia to create bags built for your wildest journies. We believe that getting out there and exploring not only sparks awe for our planet but also inspires us to take care of it.
How it Began
Hey there! I’m Nyla, the owner and designer behind TORRAIN. I’m a Detroit-born Syrian who traded the Midwest for the West Coast (with a quick education on the East Coast along the way ;)). After working in social and environmental justice, I decided to take my lifelong love for making clothes to the next level. I packed my bags and headed to California, diving into the surf, skate and snow industry as an apparel and accessory designer.
It was creatively exciting - but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was feeding into the fashion industry's waste, mass consumerism, and unethical practices. I wanted to make a difference.
Fast forward to 2009: I’m traveling through Southeast Asia when I notice these vibrant agricultural bags scattered throughout. My design brain was buzzing. Then, at a night market in Cambodia, I met an incredible woman who sparked an idea that changed everything. We talked about partnering to employ and empower local artisan communities in Cambodia.
After spending time with the artisans, hearing their stories, and collaborating on designs, I knew this was it. I moved to Portland and launched TORRAIN - a brand that brings together all the things I love: adventure, design, environmental protection, and uplifting communities. And here we are
Sustainable Materials, Ethical Process
I had no idea how versatile agricultural bags were until I noticed them all over Southeast Asia and then... everywhere else! It hit me - these bags aren’t just colorful and fun, they’re also durable, lightweight, and water-resistant. Perfect for upcycling into travel and adventure gear! And the best part? We’re keeping them out of landfills while giving them a whole new life. But wait - it’s not just about the outside of our bags. The interior liner is made from recycled plastic bottles, printed with our signature patterns to keep things fresh and unique.
Once we finalize our designs, we either ship the materials we've gathered to the amazing artisan communities in Cambodia or collaborate with them to source the materials in Southeast Asia. The artisans then wash, cut, and sew the materials into each bag with great care. We visit Cambodia every couple of years to check on quality, collaborate on new designs, and strengthen our relationships with the talented artisans who make it all happen!
A Global Effort
Since TORRAIN kicked off, we started spotting these bags everywhere - around the globe. They’re used for everything: feed, cement, rice, malt, wheat, sugar, grass seed, flour - you name it! Over the years, we’ve sourced materials from South Africa, Morocco, the U.S. and Southeast Asia. And honestly? We’re just getting started. The opportunities for sustainable design are endless, and we’re so pumped to keep exploring them!
So Many Ways to Defend Your Turf
While our products already do so much, we aren’t happy unless we’re pushing for more. We look forward to expanding our product line, to sourcing more materials to keep out of landfills, and to always looking for new ways to make our products as sustainable as possible.
#BetterBagBetterPlanet
TORRAIN is dedicated to protecting and enriching our environment and our people. Through the nature of our products, our 1:1 initiative and our ongoing partnerships and events, our goal is to inspire working towards a better planet; to support sustainability, to empower our communities and of course, to adventure and explore.
Let's do this!
The name is a combination of the word Terrain and the phrase, To Rain. When rain falls, the earth is fruitful. Just as in life, progress usually happens in light of a fall. TORRAIN symbolizes this rise and fall by recycling old hazardous materials into new, vibrant products.
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