About Us
Welcome to Marlo + Olive — a brand woven from friendship, curiosity, good energy, and the belief that everyday things should be beautiful and long-lasting.
We’re a woman-owned business based in Chicagoland, inspired by a deep appreciation for thoughtfully crafted textiles and the magic of Turkish cotton.
The story of Marlo + Olive began long before I realized it had begun.
Years ago, a friend gifted me two Turkish towels. They were beautiful… but I had absolutely no idea what to do with them. No terry cloth? No fluff? No instructions? I tucked them away for an entire year, untouched and unwashed.
Then one summer at the lake, my dear friend Derya — born and raised in Turkey, and the person who helped me launch this dream — came to visit. She arrived with a bag full of the softest, most loved Turkish towels I had ever seen (some nearly 20 years old). When I pulled out the ones I’d been given, she busted me immediately:
“You didn’t wash these, did you?”
I had to confess:
“I didn’t know how. I didn’t even understand how these worked.”
That day on the pier, everything changed.
Derya taught me the history of Turkish towels, the artistry behind the weaving, and the countless ways they can be styled and used. She wrapped them, wore them, folded them, and showed me their magic. And then I watched my kids swim, dry off, go boating — and by the next swim, the towels were completely dry.
Meanwhile I was lugging giant Costco towels, snacks, sunscreen, drinks — the whole mom-pack-mule routine — while Derya floated through the day with one chic little bag.
By sunset (and maybe a little wine), I looked at her and said:
“OMG — we’re going into business. Everyone needs to know about these. These are flipping AMAZING.”
She laughed and said, “But I’m a social worker.”
“That’s okay,” I told her. “I’m a former banker. I’ll run the business. You speak Turkish. We’re doing this.”
And that’s how the idea for this brand was born.
A few days after our first shipment arrived… the world shut down.
What was supposed to be a two-week pause turned into something no one expected. Suddenly I had hundreds of towels on my dining table and nowhere to sell them.
So I set up a table in my front yard, posted in the local moms’ group, and wrote:
“If you need Easter basket gifts, I’ve got Turkish towels.”
Cars lined up one by one. People drove away, looped the block, then came back saying:
“My sister needs one.”
“My mom wants one.”
“My neighbor just texted — she wants two.”
In the fall, they became outdoor blankets.
By winter, they became fire pit wraps and holiday gifts.
COVID forced creativity — but it also revealed just how versatile these textiles are.
As life evolved, so did our paths. Derya eventually returned to her social work career, and I continued growing this little spark into the brand you see today. I am forever grateful for her heritage, her knowledge, and the beautiful beginning she helped create.
And our name?
It’s a tribute to both of us.
Marlo, Derya’s regal Maine Coon… and Olive, my soul-animal Shih Tzu–Yorkie, who is no longer with us but forever part of my heart.
Today, Clover and Daisy keep me company (and chaos), but Olive will always be my muse.
Together, their names represent joy, companionship, and the love that first shaped this brand.
Today, Marlo + Olive offers a curated collection of peshtemals, blankets, throws, robes, baby blankets, and hair towels — all woven from 100% premium Turkish cotton. Our textiles are lightweight, breathable, naturally soft, and designed to grow even more beautiful with every wash.
Whether you’re traveling, cozying your home, stepping into a self-care ritual, or gifting someone special, we’re here to bring softness, joy, and a touch of Mediterranean magic to your everyday life.
Thank you for supporting our small business — and for being part of this unexpected, wonderful journey.
Julie