Fairtrade from start to finish - the journey from hamam towel to bathrobe

Cooperation with small family businesses

For the production of our hamam towels and bathrobes, ZusenZomer works closely with small-scale family businesses in Turkey and Tunisia. These workshops and weaving mills are often located in (mountain) villages in the countryside. We find it important to work together in a fair and sustainable way: by paying a good price and building long-term relationships with our makers.
This way we create employment for both men and women and contribute to a stable income for several families.

Craft and handwork in every detail

Although much of the weaving process has now been modernized, an important part of our production remains artisanal handwork. Finishing the hamam towels with fringes and putting together the bathrobes from the woven cloths is still largely done by hand. This also ensures the unique designs of our kimonos and bathrobes.

Turkije Fairtrade

In 7 stappen van hamamdoek tot badjas

Our fair trade production process follows a careful step-by-step approach, from weaving the hammam towels to creating our bathrobes and packaging the finished products. Every stage of the process requires attention to detail, experience, and craftsmanship.

Step 1: Weaving a Hammam Towel

Although the weaving mills have been modernised over the years, producing authentic hammam towels still involves a great deal of craftsmanship and skilled manual work. We use 100% premium OEKO-TEX® certified cotton. The fabric is lightweight, durable, and highly absorbent – exactly the qualities that make a genuine hammam towel so distinctive.

Fairtrade Turkije Hamamdoek

Stap 2 & 3

Afwerking met de hand

Every hammam towel is finished with its signature fringes. In the past, these fringes were expertly twisted and hand-knotted by women, providing them with a valuable source of income. Today, part of this process is done by machine. Depending on the design, we still choose beautiful fringed finishes, sometimes with knots and sometimes without.

Washing, Drying & Finishing

Before a hammam towel is ready to be transformed into one of our products, it is pre-washed, air-dried, and carefully pressed. Each towel is then individually inspected for weaving imperfections or loose threads, neatly folded, and temporarily packaged. This careful process ensures every piece is in perfect condition for the next stage of production.

Naaien weven confectie

Stap 4 en 5

Het naaipatroon van de badjas

At our workshop in Turkey, we work closely with the family that makes our garments to develop exclusive ZusenZomer patterns. These patterns are carefully designed to create a flattering fit for sizes S through Plus and Plus-Plus. We also take the size of the hammam towel and the woven pattern into account, ensuring the design is beautifully positioned while minimising fabric waste. A unique combination of Dutch design and traditional Turkish craftsmanship.

From Hammam Towel to Bathrobe

The hammam towels are then carefully cut by hand and individually sewn into bathrobes. This takes place in small-scale family-run workshops, where skilled craftspeople finish every piece with great care and attention to detail. No mass production—just craftsmanship, experience, and precision.

Fairtrade Upcycle

Stap 6 & 7

Verpakken met aandacht

Every bathrobe is carefully and practically packaged in biodegradable packaging, with attention to reuse and a minimal environmental footprint. Ready to make its journey to your home, your bathroom, and your moments of relaxation.

Giving Fabric Leftovers a Second Life

Nothing goes to waste. We transform leftover hammam towel fabric into toiletry bags, mini towels, and beach bags. By giving these materials a second life, we create beautiful upcycled products designed to last. Better for you, and better for the planet.