The Shoe Advisor

If you are blessed to live in a country with a perfect summer, then you can without a doubt spend your entire time outdoors enjoying warm summer days and cool summer nights. It would be the season for lunches in the mountains and dinners by the beachfront, for exploring the small and winding village streets and uncovering hidden gems of boutiques and cafes.

Producing a shoe is a lengthy and detailed process. The steps involved can vary between 70 and 300 or even more. The number of steps needed largely depends on the type of shoe being made, if it completely handmade, if it is a bespoke shoe or other similar factors.

Design has always been at the center of everything in my life: my childhood, my home activities, travels, my focus at schools, the perusal of higher education and my work. I never felt bound by it and felt the more I could experiment and create, the less I needed to communicate verbally – which I found was perfect for me. A career in design was a natural movement in my life and one I did not even think about, what else would I do, or could I do?

Online shopping has become the greatest and most convenient form of shopping and has created accessibility to unique pieces and uncommon brands right from your home.

The Rana Cheikha brand is all about exploration and travel, and we love the fact that the brand is now able to spread across the globe with a simple click of a ‘purchase’ button. 

Leather is a beautiful material. It is versatile, durable and reliable. It characteristically will not become fragile when in contact with water, will not decay when wet drying afterward, and does not become glutinous if exposed to strong heat.

So, you’re always hearing about custom, MTO or bespoke but don’t know what makes each service unique? Not to worry! Here’s a quick overview. Custom and MTO (made-to-order) shoes are one in the same. They are the definition of having a pair of shoes made on order for you, these shoes may be personalized and customized to a certain degree. This can include color, material and even engravings – all that are considered cosmetic changes. Some made to order shoes also allow for slight variations in fit for your preference, slightly wider or extra insole padding for example, elements that will not change the general aesthetic or structure of the shoe.

Although Rana Cheikha shoes are primarily produced of calfskin leathers because of its versatility and luxurious quality, there is an array of different types of leathers available. Here is an overview of some other types of shoe leather.

We have all heard about the benefits of investing in leather shoes (and leather products in general), but in a world with so many options, the question remains: What are the different types of shoe leathers that we can choose from? 

Real leather products are beautiful and are great investment pieces. But how can you guarantee that an item is made of genuine leather and not artificial? There are a few characteristics to look out for and some simple tests that will help guide you to be more assured that you are not being fooled. 

Leather shoes are known for their long-lasting and luxurious qualities. They may be more expensive then synthetic shoes, but this is because they are more durable and will last much longer in comparison.

In saying that, leather shoes are prone to wrinkling, scratching and scuffing from regular wear (the only way to avoid this would be to not wear them at all!). Because of the resilient quality of leather, these can be easily treated. 

Here are a few tips on how to deal with surface scuffs and scratches.

Planning your next getaway? Perhaps a weekend in the mountains or exploring a new corner of the world. Maybe your next trip is business related – Whatever it may be, there is no doubt that packing your shoes the right way is important to avoid damaging your favorite pair during your travels.