We're so happy to share our journey with a wide audience!

"Nyla Jano had the idea for TORRAIN more than a decade ago

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — More than 10 years ago, Nyla Jano took a trip to Southeast Asia and “saw these materials littering the streets.” From that trip, the Portland apparel designer formed a partnership with about 20 Cambodian artisans to make products that combine adventure, design, environmental protection and community empowerment.

“My wheels just started turning,” she said. The single-use materials made from a woven plastic “are just so cool, used for rice bags and agricultural materials. They’d end up in the landfill. In Southeast Asia they reuse them sometimes for shade tents to dry out their vegetables at markets.”

Eventually Jano asked a woman at a night market if she could make the bags using the materials if Jano designed them. The answer was yes and a partnership was born — as was TORRAIN.

“I work with at least 20 artisan families down there now. and they work in their homes, or amongst their communities,” she told KOIN 6 News.

Her idea came to life online first, and now there’s a physical store in Northeast Portland. TORRAIN bags are now also sold at Cargo at SE Yamhill and 2nd and PDX Change on North Mississippi. Soon, her bags will also be available at the Portland International Airport at Hello From Portland.

Jano has now created many different bags using the materials — from backpacks to messenger bags to yoga mat bags and wallets. The liner in the bags is made from recycled plastic bottles.

“I’d say the duffels are the most unique,” she said. They come in three sizes “and they’re great because you can use them for camping or road trips. We even use them on airlines. They’re super durable, water resistant and light weight.”