Our story · From Turkey to Santa Barbara

Woven in Turkey, loved on the coast

Every Riviera towel begins with a mill and a village workshop in Turkey, and ends up on a beach near you.

Why we go to Turkey

It started with a towel on a European beach

In 2014, Albert and Shannon DiPadova kept seeing the same thing on beaches across Europe: locals carrying thin, soft, brightly colored towels instead of bulky terry. They were Turkish peshtemals. After a lot of research and several trips to Turkey, the two brought the idea home to Santa Barbara and started The Riviera Towel Company.

Founded in Santa Barbara in 2014
Long-staple Turkish cotton
We visit the mills and workshops ourselves

Read our mission

Meet the makers

The hands behind every fringe

Our towels are made by people who know this craft by heart. Family-run mills weave the cloth on jacquard looms, turning cones of cotton yarn into stripes, diamonds and chevrons. Then artisans in small workshops twist and knot each fringe by hand, using traditional methods that give every towel its finish.

Woven on jacquard looms
Fringe twisted and knotted by hand
Traditional methods, made to last

From loom to Santa Barbara

How a Riviera towel comes to life

Designed

We pick every colorway right here in Santa Barbara, from the bougainvillea on the Riviera to the deep blue of the Channel.
Spun

It all starts with long-staple Turkish cotton yarn, soft, strong and absorbent.
Woven

Mills weave the flat-woven cloth on jacquard looms, which keeps it light and quick to dry.
Finished by hand

Artisans twist and knot the fringe, one towel at a time.
Home to the coast

Your towel ships from Santa Barbara, ready for the beach, the bath or the road.

Why Turkish cotton

Lighter than terry, softer every wash

A Turkish towel, or peshtemal, is flat-woven instead of looped like terry, so it dries fast, packs small and still soaks up water. It gets softer with every wash, and it works as a beach towel, a wrap, a scarf or a throw.

Dries in a fraction of the time
Packs flat for travel
Gets softer with every wash

Read the full guide

Scenes from our trips

Inside the mills and workshops

Our visits to Turkey: the looms, the yarn, the villages and the people who make our towels. Tap any photo to see it larger.

Visit us

Come say hello on Gutierrez Street

Our Santa Barbara shop is where it all comes together: stacks of Turkish towels in every color, cozy throws, local art and little gifts you won't find anywhere else.

17 W. Gutierrez St., downtown Santa Barbara
Feel every towel, throw and robe in person
Hometown gifts from local makers
Questions? Call us at 805-560-1571

Get directions

At a glance

About Riviera Towel Co., in short

What is The Riviera Towel Company?

The Riviera Towel Company (Riviera Towel Co.) is a Santa Barbara Turkish towel and coastal gift shop. It designs its own hand-loomed Turkish cotton towels, blankets and robes and sells them, along with beachwear, jewelry and Santa Barbara gifts, at its shop at 17 W. Gutierrez St. and online at rivieratowel.com.

Who founded Riviera Towel Co.?

Albert and Shannon DiPadova started the brand in 2014 after seeing thin, colorful Turkish towels on beaches across Europe.

Where is the Riviera Towel shop?

17 W. Gutierrez St. in downtown Santa Barbara, California 93101, just off State Street. Call 805-560-1571.

How big is the Turkish towel collection?

Our Santa Barbara boutique and showroom holds the largest collection of Turkish towels in America, with beach, bath and hand towels in every color plus throws and robes. Take the virtual walk-through.

Where are Riviera towels made?

Our towels are hand-loomed from Turkish cotton by family-run mills in Turkey, and we design every colorway in Santa Barbara.

Can Riviera make custom towels with a logo?

Yes. Our sister company RivieraGift.com makes custom woven, embroidered and printed towels, blankets, robes and totes for businesses, hotels, clubs, teams and events.

How does Riviera Towel Co. give back?

Every year, 5% of our net profits go to organizations that heal and protect the ocean, with $76,439.30 donated so far. Read our mission.

Our mission

$76,439.30

donated to heal and protect our oceans

Every year, 5% of our net profits go to organizations restoring reefs, cleaning beaches and protecting marine life, here at home and around the world.

5%of net profits, every year

$76Kdonated so far

1ocean we all share

Read our mission

Riviera Originals