Rawan moved from Homs to Lebanon before the war in Syria and grew up in her grandparents’ home in Tripoli, where her mother raised her and her sister. Sport became a major part of her life early on. She trained in martial arts, earning belts and winning championships, before swimming took on particular importance after she developed scoliosis. While she faced bullying at school over the appearance of her back, swimming helped her build strength and endurance. She went on to become an endurance swimming champion and instructor, later expanding into kickboxing and personal training. She also rides horses every week, finding an emotional safe space in the activity.

While working, Rawan studied psychology at the Lebanese University for three years, until the need to help support her family compelled her to prioritize earning an income. Alongside her studies, she qualified as a personal trainer and pursued further training in exercise during and after pregnancy. Across these different fields, her interests have consistently involved close attention to people and their bodies.

Her interest in fashion grew out of choices she made for herself. When she began wearing the hijab, she experimented with ways of styling it. As sport became a larger part of her life, she adapted her clothes so she could move comfortably while dressing as she wanted. These practical decisions developed into a lasting interest in design, which she now wants to explore at CSB. She brings a perspective on modest clothing shaped by an active life, along with a curiosity about how what people wear affects how they feel and move.