Super Pile 850 Saffron | Luxury Egyptian cotton towels
- 100% finest Giza cotton
- 700 gsm, plush and full
- Handcrafted in Portugal
- OEKO-TEX certified
Abyss & Habidecor · Luxury towels · Colour code 850
Super Pile Safran 850Oriental warmth, a golden glow.
A luminous saffron yellow with Oriental warmth. Super Pile Safran 850 combines the precious gold of spice with a modern, expressive touch of luxury in dense pile made from hand-picked Giza 70 cotton.
At a glance
The essentials of Super Pile Safran 850
Super Pile Safran 850 is a luxury towel by Abyss & Habidecor made from 100 % Egyptian Giza 70 cotton with a fabric weight of 700 g/m². It is made to order in Portugal and is available as a 4-piece set or in ten individual sizes, from a wash mitt to a large bath sheet.
- Manufacturer
- Abyss & Habidecor, Portugal
- Collection
- Super Pile
- Colour
- Safran, colour code 850
- Material
- 100 % Egyptian cotton, Giza 70 variety
- Fibre class
- Extra Long Staple (ELS), fibre length over 35 mm
- Harvest
- hand-picked in the northern Nile Delta
- Weave
- Terry with loops on both sides, with Giza 70 warp, weft and pile
- Yarn
- Pile made from double-twisted yarn
- Fabric weight
- 700 g/m²
- Edge
- hand-sewn bias binding all around, rounded corners
- Production
- made to order, prewashed and preshrunk
- Hanging loop
- sewn-on Abyss & Habidecor emblem for hanging
- Certification
- OEKO-TEX® Standard 100
- Sizes
- 10 sizes from 17 × 22 cm to 105 × 180 cm
- 4-piece set
- 70 × 140, 60 × 110, 40 × 60 and 30 × 50 cm
01 · Colour effect
Safran 850 in the bathroomLike the world's most precious spice.
Safran 850 is a deep, warm yellow with an orange sheen, stronger than Banane and lighter than Curcuma. In the pile, the colour looks rich and glowing, with the loops shining like gold.
Safran has represented preciousness and warmth for centuries. Brass, travertine and wood create an Oriental-inspired bathroom full of light; blue and white add a lively Mediterranean contrast.
Pair with
- Stone and tiles
- travertine, Crema Marfil, terrazzo, Nero Marquina
- Wood
- walnut, teak, natural oak
- Metal
- brass, gold, copper
- Textiles
- Ecru 101 for calm, Curcuma 870 tone on tone, Zanzibar 383 for a strong contrast
Neighbouring colours
Shades from the same family, for subtle gradations in the bathroom or a guest bathroom with its own character.
870
840
830
614
737
02 · Origin
Grown by the Nile.In Egypt's fertile delta.
The cotton for Super Pile comes from Egypt and is the variety Giza 70. It is one of the classic Extra Long Staple varieties grown in the northern Nile Delta. Here, Nile water, heavy, fertile alluvial soil, long sunny summers and the moist Mediterranean air come together. These conditions produce fibres that are longer, finer and stronger than those of conventional cotton.
Long-staple cotton has been grown in Egypt since the 1820s, and its reputation as one of the world's finest cottons goes back almost two centuries. It has also become rare: between 2000 and 2023, Egypt's cotton harvest shrank by almost 60 percent, and only a fraction of it reaches the Extra Long Staple class.
03 · Hand harvesting and controlled cultivation
Picked by hand.To keep every fibre intact.
When the bolls open in late summer, harvesting begins in the Nile Delta. Egyptian cotton is still picked by hand. The picker selects only ripe, fully opened bolls, leaving behind leaves and unripe seed heads.
Machines would break the long fibres and introduce plant debris. Hand picking preserves the full length of each fibre, clean and undamaged. It is this intact length that you later feel as a smooth, soft touch.
Controlled cultivation, from seed to yarn
- Controlled seedEgypt takes each variety through state-supervised propagation stages all the way to the field.
- Designated growing areasEach variety grows in its own assigned area, keeping the varieties pure.
- One variety per ginEach cotton gin processes just one variety per season, under the supervision of Egypt's Ministry of Agriculture.
- Official classificationThe state testing authority CATGO determines the variety, class and quality of each batch.
- Checks at the workshopSeveral times a year, Abyss & Habidecor has randomly selected yarn spools independently tested to check that they consist of 100 % ELS cotton.
04 · Fibre, yarn and weave
Long fibres.Dense, even pile.
A towel's quality begins with fibre length. Cotton is classified as Extra Long Staple from about 35 millimetres. Giza 70 exceeds this, while conventional Upland cotton usually measures 25 to 30 millimetres.
Comparing fibre lengths
Material detailExtra Long Staple (ELS)Giza 70 in a dense terry weave
Long fibres can be spun into finer, more even and stronger yarns. With fewer fibre ends protruding from the yarn, the terry feels smoother, sheds less lint and stays beautiful through many washes.
The weave
Super Pile is a terry fabric made from three yarn systems. The ground warp and weft form the supporting weave, while the pile warp forms loops on both sides. In Super Pile, each of these three systems is made from Giza 70 cotton, not just the visible pile.
The pile is made from double-twisted yarn : two threads are twisted together. This makes each loop stable, full and resistant to deformation, even after many washes.
700 g/m²: what it means
Fabric weight tells you how much cotton there is in a square metre of terry. From about 600 g/m², towels are considered heavy and particularly absorbent; at 700 g/m² , Super Pile is well above this. Much of that weight is in the pile rather than the ground fabric. This makes the towel feel rich and substantial while remaining supple instead of stiff.
05 · Workshop in Portugal
Dyed, boundand finished in Portugal.
Abyss & Habidecor was founded in 1977 by Celso de Lemos in the Viseu area. The first pieces were bath rugs made in the basement of his parents' home. Today the workshop is one of the best-known manufacturers of luxury bathroom textiles, with its towels, bathrobes and bath rugs found in boutiques, department stores and hotels in more than 60 countries.
- Made to orderYour towel is made especially for you only after you place your order.
- One shade in every detailThe towel and bias binding are dyed together and have exactly the same shade, in every size.
- Hand-boundThe bias binding is sewn by hand all around, with rounded corners and only one concealed seam. Rounded corners are more robust than square edges.
- PrewashedEach piece is washed at the workshop and is therefore preshrunk.
- Tested safetyThe textiles are certified to OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, and the workshop's wastewater is treated biologically.
- Emblem for hangingThe small sewn-on Abyss & Habidecor emblem identifies the maker and also serves as a hanging loop. This keeps the towel neatly on a hook without damaging the pile.
06 · Sizes and set
Your 4-piece set.Or your very own selection.
The preselected option is the 4-piece set as pictured, a harmonious foundation for the shower and washbasin. Alternatively, choose each size individually and create your own ensemble for the guest bathroom, bathtub or sauna. Every size is dyed in the same Safran 850 shade.
The 4-piece set shown to scale, dimensions in cm
| Wash mittFacial cleansing and body care | 17 × 22 cm |
|---|---|
| WashclothFace, washbasin, spa tray | 30 × 30 cm |
| Small guest towel in the setGuest bathroom and towel ring | 30 × 50 cm |
| Medium guest towel in the setHands at the washbasin | 40 × 60 cm |
| Large guest towelGenerous guest towel, hair | 40 × 75 cm |
| Hand towelFace and hair | 55 × 100 cm |
| Large hand towel in the setHair and upper body | 60 × 110 cm |
| Bath towel in the setafter a shower | 70 × 140 cm |
| Bath sheetBathtub and sauna | 100 × 150 cm |
| Large bath sheetLarge enough to wrap around you, spa and sauna | 105 × 180 cm |
07 · Everyday use and care
Keep the pilefull, soft and absorbent.
Super Pile absorbs moisture immediately and settles softly around your shoulders. With so much cotton in its dense pile, it takes a little longer to dry than a thin towel: hang it spread out after use. A few simple steps will keep it beautiful for many years.
- Wash before first useThe first wash opens up the fibres and improves softness and absorbency. Cut off labels with scissors instead of tearing them off.
- Wash at 40 °CWash Safran 850 with similar colours. Separate light and dark shades, do not overload the drum, and do not wash towels with zips, hooks or hook-and-loop fasteners.
- Mild liquid detergent, no fabric softenerWithout bleach or optical brighteners. Fabric softener coats the fibres like a film and reduces absorbency.
- Tumble dry at medium temperatureThis restores volume and fullness to the pile. Let it dry completely and give it a quick shake; ironing is unnecessary.
- A pulled loop? Do not pull it.Simply trim it with scissors to the height of the pile; the weave remains intact.
Good to know: Benzoyl peroxide acne products, hair dyes, whitening toothpaste and chlorine-based bathroom cleaners can bleach cotton in spots. Allow these products to absorb fully or rinse them off before the towel touches your skin.
08 · Your spa ensemble
From towelto slippers.
Super Pile offers a whole world of textiles. The same dense terry quality of Giza 70 cotton with 700 g/m² is available in the bathrobe Unisex Couture and in Terry slippers. This creates a harmonious whole from individual favourite pieces, from your first step out of the shower to your morning coffee.
On request
Terry slippers
Terry slippers in the same Super Pile quality are available to match your towels; the picture shows them in Gold 840. On request, we can suggest a slipper colour to complement Safran 850. Order the slippers separately by contacting us personally; we will be happy to advise you on sizing.
| S | EU 35 to 38 |
|---|---|
| M | EU 38 to 40 |
| L | EU 40 to 43 |
| XL | EU 43 to 46 |
Unisex Couture
Your spa, in your colour
Unisex Couture is the bathrobe for women and men in the same Super Pile quality: 700 g/m², 100 % Giza 70 cotton, with a shawl collar, tie belt and pockets, in sizes S to XXL and with embroidered initials on request. The robe in the matching shade Safran pairs particularly beautifully with Safran 850.
On request, we can put together matching Habidecor bath rugs in coordinated colours. The bathrobe, slippers and bath rugs are not included with the towels.
09 · Questions and answers
Good to knowabout Super Pile and Giza 70.
What makes Giza 70 cotton so precious?
Three things come together: fibre, origin and harvest. Giza 70 is an Extra Long Staple variety with fibres over 35 millimetres that are also very fine and strong. It grows in the northern Nile Delta, is picked by hand and undergoes strictly controlled cultivation from seed to ginning. With Egypt's harvest declining for years and only a fraction reaching the Extra Long Staple class, this cotton is rare and correspondingly sought after.
What does a Super Pile towel feel like?
Soft, full and velvety. The long Giza 70 fibres form dense, even loops that rest smoothly and gently against the skin without scratching. Despite its 700 g/m², the towel feels lighter in the hand than you might expect: much of the cotton is in the loose, double-twisted pile, which adds volume rather than heaviness. It absorbs moisture immediately and wraps warmly around your shoulders; after the first washes, the fibres open up and the towel becomes even softer.
What exactly does Giza 70 mean?
Giza is the name given to Egyptian cotton varieties, named after Giza, the home of Egyptian cotton research. The number identifies the particular variety. Giza 70 belongs to the species Gossypium barbadense, the cotton with the longest fibres, and is one of Egypt's classic Extra Long Staple varieties.
Why do Abyss Super Pile towels cost more than ordinary towels?
The price reflects the material and craftsmanship: rare, hand-picked Giza 70 cotton in the warp, weft and pile, 700 g/m² of dense terry made from double-twisted yarn, hand-sewn bias binding and made-to-order production in Portugal. With good care, the towels remain soft, absorbent and beautifully coloured for many years; viewed over their lifetime, the price gains perspective.
Do Super Pile towels shed lint?
Very little. Long fibres produce yarn with few loose fibre ends. Some fibres may come free during the first washes; this is normal for new terry and quickly diminishes. For this reason, wash new towels separately once before first use.
Why should I avoid fabric softener?
Fabric softener coats the fibres like a thin film. The towel briefly feels smoother but absorbs water much less effectively. Giza 70 cotton is naturally soft, and tumble drying at medium temperature restores volume to the pile.
What does 700 g/m² mean for a towel?
It describes the fabric weight: how many grams of cotton a square metre of terry weighs, rather than the weight of an individual towel. The higher the value, the denser and more absorbent the pile. 700 g/m² is among the heavy, particularly plush qualities.
Do Super Pile towels dry more slowly?
A little, yes. A pile containing plenty of cotton holds more moisture. Hang the towel spread out after use instead of folding it. It dries reliably in a well-ventilated bathroom or on a towel warmer.
Do the towels shrink in the wash?
Each piece is prewashed at the workshop and is therefore preshrunk. Wash at 40 °C and dry at medium rather than high temperature to help the towels keep their shape.
Does Safran 850 retain its colour?
Yes, the colour lasts if you wash gently and avoid bleach. Some cosmetics can, however, lighten cotton in spots: blemish treatments containing benzoyl peroxide, hair dyes, whitening toothpaste and bathroom cleaners containing chlorine. Allow such products to absorb fully or rinse them off before the towel touches your skin.
What is the difference between Super Pile and Twill?
Both qualities come from Abyss & Habidecor and are made from Egyptian Giza cotton. Super Pile is a plush looped terry with 700 g/m². Twill is a flatter fabric with a twill structure and around 500 g/m² that dries faster and feels gently massaging.
Can I buy individual sizes?
Yes. Alongside the 4-piece set, each of the ten sizes is available individually, from the wash mitt at 17 × 22 cm to the large bath sheet at 105 × 180 cm. All sizes are dyed in the same Safran 850 shade and can be bought again at any time.
Are matching bathrobes and slippers available?
Yes. The Unisex Couture bathrobe for women and men is made from the same Super Pile quality with 700 g/m². We can put together terry slippers and colour-coordinated Habidecor bath rugs for you on request.
Tiamont interior design advice
Your Safran 850.Your daily ritual.
Would you like to see shades side by side or coordinate your towels, bathrobe, slippers and bath rug? We offer personal advice and put together an ensemble that suits your tiles, stone and lighting.
