Your favourite guest blogger is back! It is Christelle from The Way It’s Worn, here to share more adventure tales featuring my Rana Cheikha collection.
This September, I was back in Qatar. Doha is slowly becoming home. A city filled with loved ones and friends, and a place where I can grow. Yet it misses one crucial element: my wardrobe. So, for each trip, the packing challenge remains. As you might remember, I only travel with one carry-on. A rule I established not only for practicality, but also for financial responsibility. While I opted for relaxed looks in the past, this time I had meetings pre-booked, which meant I needed to look professional while staying true to my personal style. The pair I ended up wearing was my newly acquired black Ain City. And now I leave it up to, Ain, the shoe and the eye*, to share its insightful observations!
“Frankly, all these fancy designer shoes have nothing on me. Look at them, uncomfortable towering heels and pointy toe boxes. And don’t even get me started on those overpriced sneakers. Slap a monogram on it, and suddenly they are worth an arm and a leg? Meanwhile, I have an original shape that hits the noticeable/quirky balance perfectly. I can totally see myself displayed at one of these luxury malls. Let them flock and gawk over me!
It is not like this hasn’t happened! I have been to material innovation exhibitions and fashion gatherings, and still no pair shined brighter than me. Sure, there are some advances in vegan leather and upcycled rubber, but honestly, does anything beat soft calfskin leather? Not, really … People may be shocked or upset, but I stand by my opinion. I am not the problem. The meat industry is (just read about it!).
That should be taught in fashion schools. I have met some design program heads. Among many things, we discussed the lack of proper sustainability education. The conversation is far more nuanced than what the current discourse is providing. Nothing and nobody are 100% sustainable. Therefore, tackling the problem at the root and rethinking ecosystems is the way forward. 
And after all this intellectual work, I hit some of the city’s hot spots to unwind. Needless to say, I have always ticked the dress code’s boxes. Talk about not only being smart, but also pretty!”
Well, thank you Ain! Clearly, this one has a big personality. She always insists on leaving a mark with every encounter…
** “Ain” or “عين” in Arabic has a double meaning. It can be “eye” or “water source”. It is also the name of a Lebanese village in the Baalbek District, which is famous for its eco-tourism.
Signing-off: Christelle from The Way It’s Worn(And what’s TWIW? It’s about: “Shaping a fairer Lebanese fashion industry by connecting the dots between wearers, pieces, artisans and designer”.)