INTERVIEW WITH RANA CHEIKHA

edges to cup the foot and create this unique piece of footwear. I now use this X-stitch through various products I create.”

Be in love with our work is always the key to achieving better results and Rana Cheikha shared the reasons why she love to be a designer: “I do love it, on most days at least! But I find it challenging identifying it as my job as it compasses every part of my life – and at every hour too. I see it as a part of who I am. The best part about being a designer, I believe, is creating a product that people need to think about before being able to clearly have an opinion on, to wonder about it. I like creating products that are atypical without being loud, so that people need time to get used to and love it – to me this only means that it is something with more value, that it is unique and new. When something is unknown, it needs to be revisited, studied, and explored before being completely accepted.

When this happens, I consider to have made a successful product.”

When asked about her philosophy on design and life she reminded us that:

“Design needs to be versatile with a subtle uniqueness to it. With products, it has to be timeless and well-made, comfortable and, although fit for purpose, sometimes a bit random too. In theory, my philosophy in life is pretty much the same. Life has to be filled with movement, but also be calm - which is why I always need to be active but also keep some sort of routine. Life has to have crazy moments and quirky bits, but within an awareness that there was a past and there will be a future. Design and life need to feed on each other and create relevance to each other.”

Rana Cheikha also has several sources of inspiration which she wanted to share with us: “We are all influenced by trends that exist in every direction we look to, but since my brand is about a timeless product, I look at what I have already created and which models got positive feedback and use that as a base to move forward. It has never been about following trends, but rather about maintaining the brand signature while improving a product and creating an item that can be used now, or in 10 years from now. I find that my customers also want a unique product that they can enjoy in the moment, but also value in years to come.”

Rana also talked about the professionals that where a inspiration for her:

“When I started my brand, my initial source of inspiration was drawn from Fariuz, Marina Abramovic and everything between their two worlds. I created a link between their modes of expression, their yearning for the homeland and reputation for tearing down boundaries. I looked at everything from lyrics and mapping to performance and experimental art. Today, this has morphed into inspiration from my own constant movement and my living between different peoples and cultures which I submerge myself into. I always meet a multitude of fascinating people (designers, artists, technicians, different individuals) who teach me their own ways and help me to discover something new to incorporate it into my work, intentionally or not. It makes it personal, and this is the most important aspect to me.

We couldn’t finish this conversation without asking the designer about her new projects and she shared exciting new for handmade shoes lovers: “ I’ve always loved men’s footwear as this was actually what a lot of my technical studies were based on, so I naturally have always had models that are unisex in theory (not sizing) which a few lucky men have been able to fit into. As a result, I have been itching to introduce a men’s line for some time now. But until I am ready to completely dive into that, I am introducing a unisex line of slides which is launching VERY soon!” Visit ranacheikha.com and find all the collections.

Robusta Center Table Caffe Latte

Milenio Modular Sofa Caffe Latte

With an uneven shape, taking inspiration from the disformity of the sub-Saharian plains where the famous Coffea Robusta is grown, this center table has both a soft yet eye-catching presence. Its two marble tops resemble the hues of brown from the exquisite coffee beans and rest perfectly on a delicate and continuous bronze leg. The perfect piece to provide a simple and neutral complement to a modern interior.

Boma Sideboard Caffe Latte

This sofa takes its name from the Milenio coffee variety, a plant that emerges in great heights and very well-known adaptability, making this sofa the perfect parallel of it. With a blend of hues, textures and materials, and with over 7 modules to change around, the circular modular is the piece that creates the character of the overall sofa, creating a distinctively modern and rich component to your living room.

Altura Mirror Caffe Latte

This breathtaking landscape serves as inspiration for the Boma Sideboard design, where the round inox aged detail protrudes from the organic pattern of the decape wood, resembling the fantastic mountain that emerges from the plains of the Boma Natural Park.

This tall mirror creates the same feelings in your living room or other areas. With balanced and clean designed mirrors on both sides, and adaptability with swivel panels for a different experience each time. Sharp straight lines for a modern appeal and bronze mirror finishes for that subtle, yet pronounced, chicness.