It’s no secret that Turkish towels (“peshtemal”) are a versatile, stylish, and unique way to elevate one’s space.

And while these beautiful towels seem to be popping up everywhere these days, I did not really have the urge to recommend a specific brand until I encountered Thriae.

Thriae (pronounced “Three-eye”) happens to be the namesake of a triad of nymphs who were the patrons of bees in Greek Mythology, and is also a female owned and operated small business sourcing ethically produced Turkish towels run by a Turkish-American wife and mother of sons (and golden doodles) named Mel.

Having grown up in the Aegean town of Izmir, Turkey, Mel has firsthand knowledge of how shopping small and sourcing ethically makes a difference in the community at large.

“Our mission is to provide quality goods that also help independent makers and smaller businesses thrive. This is why we chose to work with a smaller manufacturer rather than a larger one: to help the collective of artisans they work with flourish among the larger producers, boost their local economy, and provide exceptional textiles to the world. Like bees, their collective efforts bring us things of beauty, made with love. 

To show our gratitude to our pollinating friends who give us so much, a portion of our profits is donated to The Bee Conservancy. “

I was fortunate enough to be gifted two of these fabulous towels to try out; the Lygos Peshtemal style, one large in Naval and the other a small in Smoke. They are made from 100% hand-loomed Turkish cotton in the inner Aegean region of Denizli, and really are so versatile!

The small I’ve been using as a workout towel on my Peloton; the fabric is so soft and doesn’t scratch my face when I need to use it in the middle of a ride. And it looks so cute on my bike hook.

The large peshtemal I’ve been using as a bath towel, and it is so easy to just wrap myself up in it and happily roll around. Despite feeling thinner than a regular bath towel it actually absorbs water quite well, and dries fast. Plus it is such an aesthetic addition in my bathroom!

I also love how each type of towel is named after a specific region or city in Turkey; it is so fun to be able to learn about history and culture through supporting small businesses.

Definitely check out these beautifully made towels for your holiday gifts, personal shopping haul, or even corporate needs this year.

Happy shopping.

Xoxo