Author: Alina Ali

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Alina Ali grew up in Dubai and has spent the last ten years watching the UAE's fashion and lifestyle scene transform into one of the most dynamic in the world. As a writer, she was documenting UAE sneaker culture, high fashion, and luxury lifestyle before most outlets realised it was worth covering.She joined What's Hot in UAE as Fashion, Lifestyle & Sneaker Culture Writer after years of running her own fashion blog and building a following among Dubai's style community. Her network includes boutique owners, brand representatives, stylists and resellers across the UAE — which means her release guides, stockist lists, and fashion coverage are sourced from people with actual access, not copied from brand press kits.Alina covers everything from Nike and Jordan regional exclusives to high fashion, couture, luxury brands, beauty, and the UAE's homegrown streetwear labels making noise internationally. Lifestyle at What's Hot in UAE is her domain — and that means anything fashion, from the runway to the street.She is based in Dubai Marina and collects Air Maxes.Follow Alina's work on Muck Rack, Substack, Vocal, and Medium.

The world of limited-edition collaborations is defined by hype, scarcity, and the thrill of the chase. But few drops have ever reached the level of extreme rarity seen in the Timberland and SEGA partnership featuring Shadow the Hedgehog. With only 30 pairs of the iconic 6-inch boots released worldwide, this collection wasn’t just limited—it was legendary from the moment it was announced. For countless fans and collectors, the frustration was immediate: the collaboration was exclusive to Japan and sold out instantly, leaving the rest of the world wondering how to get their hands on these grails.Related: check our Best Sneaker…

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Verdict: the Nike Book 2 has a genuinely lively forefoot, strong lateral support and dependable grip on a clean indoor court. But the launch shoe’s stiff moulded upper, heavy build and dust-sensitive outsole are serious compromises. It makes most sense for a narrow-to-regular-footed guard who values containment and forefoot response. Wide-footed players, anyone who plays on dusty courts, and shoppers expecting a light successor to the Book 1 should look elsewhere—or at least try a mesh Book 2 colourway before buying.Related: check our Best Sneaker Stores in Dubai (8 Verified Shops) for where to buy authentic releases and avoid fakes.…

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For over a decade, it’s been the sneaker that enthusiasts and 90s basketball fans have whispered about, hoped for, and constantly requested. The Nike Total Foamposite Max, a hulking monument of late-90s footwear innovation, has remained one of the most elusive and desired retros. After years of scattered rumors and false starts, Nike has finally confirmed a comeback — though patience is still required, since credible reporting now points to a 2027 release window rather than 2026. If you’ve been searching for a definitive, all-in-one resource to cut through the social media noise, you’ve found it.Related: check our Best Sneaker…

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The unmistakable hum of Y2K nostalgia has reached a fever pitch, and at its epicentre is the blockbuster reunion of two cultural titans: Supreme x True Religion. For Fall 2025, the streetwear sovereign and the denim icon are reigniting their partnership, unleashing a collection that’s more than just apparel—it’s a time capsule of early 2000s rebellion, remixed for today’s landscape. In a world of scattered Instagram stories and fragmented news drops, the fear of missing out (FOMO) is real. Finding all the critical details in one place feels impossible. Until now. This is your single source of truth for the…

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Finding an outfit that looks just as good at your 9 AM meeting as it does under the lights of a 9 PM DJ set feels like a modern fashion miracle. For the person who navigates a life of shifting identities and spaces, the wardrobe crisis is real: how do you dress for a full day that smoothly transitions into a lively night out without a complete overhaul? The answer lies not in a bigger closet, but in smarter, more versatile pieces. Enter the limited-edition capsule collection from Alpha Industries x Peggy Gou —a collaboration that serves as the definitive…

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Part of our complete guide to Fashion in the UAE. In just over a decade, Dubai Watch Week has transformed from a passionate, homegrown initiative into an unmissable fixture on the global horology calendar. What began in 2015 as a vision for education and access has exploded into a powerhouse event. Now, the 2026 edition marks a monumental anniversary with its most ambitious program yet, doubling in size and scope. For any discerning watch enthusiast or collector, the sheer scale can be overwhelming. How do you navigate the sprawling new venue? How do you get a first look at the…

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A man wearing sunglasses and a plaid shirt sits next to a woman with long hair, wearing a plaid shirt and jeans, on outdoor stone steps. A dog wearing a brown hat is lying between them. They are surrounded by greenery and large plants.

In a world saturated with celebrity-endorsed products, the launch of a new fashion line by a Hollywood A-lister often elicits a healthy dose of skepticism. Is it a genuine creative endeavor or just another fleeting vanity project? God’s True Cashmere, Brad Pitt’s luxury fashion brand, enters this landscape not with a bang, but with the quiet confidence of impeccable craftsmanship. It presents itself as a compelling exception, a brand founded on a deeply personal story, a spiritual connection, and an unwavering commitment to quality. This is the full story of God’s True Cashmere. We will move beyond the celebrity hype…

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A model walking down a runway wearing a dramatic black cape with puffed shoulders, over a white outfit, and black heels. The setting is an ornate, crowded fashion show venue.

Chanel began as Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel’s millinery business in Paris, with an independent hat shop at 21 rue Cambon in 1910. The modern company is a privately held luxury house controlled by the Wertheimer family, not by Coco Chanel’s descendants and not by Dior or LVMH. In 2026, Leena Nair is Global CEO and Matthieu Blazy is Artistic Director of Fashion Activities. That short answer reveals why Chanel history is often muddled. There are three connected stories: Coco Chanel the designer, the couture house, and the perfume business built around Chanel No. 5. They did not always have the same…

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Two sweatshirts displayed against an orange background, part of a Graniph and McDonald's collaboration. The left sweatshirt is blue with yellow stripes, featuring the McDonald's logo and "dippin'" text. The right sweatshirt is black with a character graphic and "McDonald's" text. Two collection badges, "Feel-Good" and "Heritage," are visible.

The world of fashion has a new, unexpected icon: a large, purple, perpetually cheerful character from McDonaldland. Thanks to a viral TikTok trend and a masterful marketing revival, Grimace is back, and the appetite for nostalgia has never been stronger. This cultural wave has crested just in time for the seventh collaboration between McDonald’s and Japanese apparel brand Graniph, placing this McDonald’s x Graniph Collection at the top of every collector’s must-have list. But this isn’t just another news announcement about a trendy clothing drop. The world of limited-edition merchandise is fast, competitive, and often frustrating for those who miss…

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For years, the modern active woman has faced a frustrating choice: embrace high-performance activewear that prioritizes function over form, or opt for stylish pieces that can’t withstand a genuine workout. This trade-off has left a significant gap in the market, forcing a compromise between feeling powerful and looking polished. The groundbreaking NikeSKIMS Drop 2 Collection has emerged as the definitive solution to this long-standing dilemma, and its second drop is set to further redefine the world of women’s sport style. This article goes beyond the initial hype to provide an expert breakdown of the NikeSKIMS Drop 2 collection. We will…

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