It’s finally August and a trip to the Mediterranean is imminent. My companion, a must on every trip, is my well-loved hammam towel. So far, this colorful piece of cotton has proven to be an all-around talent on vacation. Apart from its excellent quality, the towel dries quickly and has multiple functions. I discovered it in a small store called Hello Turco, which Secil Arlat opened in 2022. Upon entering, you’re greeted by the nostalgic scents of cotton, linen and soap. With Hello Turco, the graphic designer from Adapazari has brought a piece of Turkish tradition to Berlin. Everything revolves around craftsmanship and Turkish bathing culture. Hamam is tradition and part of everyday life and means both physical and spiritual cleansing. Towels, bathrobes, accessories, exfoliating gloves and soaps — the store has everything you need for your next relaxation session. Bath textiles are woven and made from 100% cotton by small Turkish family businesses in keeping with a long tradition. And recycling is a part of the manufacturing process with leftover cotton fabric processed into new collections.
Secil’s store is piled high with bath towels, pestemals and hamam towels in all colors and patterns. The classic “Diamond” pattern indicates its origin — it comes from the city of Buldan in the Denizli region. The region around Antakya is dominated by striped patterns — I’m particularly drawn to these. This year, Secil launched her first hammam towel collection with her own designs. If you like, you can take advantage of the unique service (in Berlin) and have your towel personalized in the store with your initials or a favorite quote.
Text: Milena Kalojanov / Photos: Robyn Steffen
Hello Turco, Raumerstr.27, 10347 Berlin–Prenzlauer Berg; map
@helloturco
