Al Ain Sisters Launch Emirati Building-Block Sets in Abu Dhabi

Founded by Al Ain sisters Jawaher and Reem AlBlooshi, AlRon is a new Emirati building-block brand, recreating the country's symbols and stories as sets you assemble by hand.

Its debut collection launched in June this year with Shaheen and Desert Falcon, a build of Abu Dhabi's official emblem and a recreation of the UAE Air Force F-16.

The idea came while the sisters were assembling a Taj Mahal set. There were plenty of landmarks from around the world to build, and almost nothing that approached the UAE's own history with the same depth.

"A conventional souvenir asks to be admired, but a building set asks you to take part," Jawaher tells SceneNowUAE.

AlRon began in Al Ain, the city that keeps the sisters close to their roots and the home of Sheikh Zayed, so the country's history was the air they grew up in. "Although the brand is new, its foundations are planted in old soil," says Reem.

AlRon (الرُّون) is an old Arabic word for intensity. Classical dictionaries define it as الشدة, and use رُونة الشيء for something reaching its most intense degree. The sisters chose it for its weight, a name that could carry the depth and strength they associate with Emirati identity.

Shaheen is the first set, a 455-piece build of Abu Dhabi's crest. Taking the official emblem apart made the sisters appreciate it more, and they traced its evolution from its first appearance to the version in use today.

"Going through the details and stages of its development made us appreciate it much more," the sisters tell SceneNowUAE. "It was a thrilling process and we are sure that everyone who builds it will feel this pride as well."

Desert Falcon is a 394-piece recreation of the UAE Air Force's F-16E/F Block 60. The name is not AlRon's invention. Desert Falcon is what the Block 60 variant flown by the UAE is actually called.

"Desert Falcon followed the pride and excitement surrounding the 'Target Destroyed' moment," Reem explains. In March this year, footage released by the UAE Ministry of Defence showed UAE air defences intercepting Iranian drones, with the words "target destroyed" heard as the interceptions were confirmed. "Both pieces introduced AlRon through symbols of strength, ambition and national pride: one iconic emblem, one unforgettable achievement," the sisters tell SceneNowUAE.

Making the sets is slower than it looks. The sisters exchange ideas, research the subject, study how it developed, then build prototypes and work them until they are recognisable, stable and enjoyable to assemble. "Making it look right is only half the battle," says Reem. "Design can look perfect on screen and fail as soon as it is assembled by hand."

Most of their time goes on testing and rebuilding, until appearance and function come into harmony. The first page of every instruction booklet is given over to the history of the object. "Before you put the first piece in place, you should know the meaning of what you are doing," says Reem.

Running a brand with your sister comes with an unusually short chain of command. One of them has the idea, the other develops it, and disagreements do not last long. "Our sisterhood gives us an extremely efficient and extremely sincere approval process," say the sisters.

They describe AlRon as "the design-led cultural brand that uses building blocks to document and share stories from the UAE", rather than a toy company or a collectibles label.

What they did not anticipate was how often the sets would change hands. They keep turning up as gifts. "People are gifting a piece of the UAE."

Shaheen and Desert Falcon are available through AlRon's website.