Author: Alina Ali

Alina Ali's avatar

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.

There are nutritional deficiencies that announce themselves loudly — the anaemia that leaves you breathless climbing stairs, the severe vitamin D deficiency that aches in your bones. Zinc deficiency is not like that. It accumulates quietly, degrading function across multiple systems simultaneously, and produces a constellation of symptoms — fatigue, recurrent infections, slow-healing cuts, thinning hair, low mood — that are each easy to attribute to something else. By the time a clinician considers zinc as the culprit, months or years may have passed. What makes this particularly consequential is the scope of zinc’s role in the body. More than…

Read More

Balenciaga, one of the most talked-about names in fashion, has made a headline-grabbing move in July 2025 by appointing Pierpaolo Piccioli as Balenciaga’s new creative director. This appointment of Balenciaga’s new creative director takes place with immediate effect from 10 July, Piccioli takes over following Demna’s exit and shift to creative leadership at Gucci, marking a watershed moment in Kering’s brand recalibration. Balenciaga’s new creative director appointment sets the stage for one of the boldest creative transitions in fashion’s recent history. For a complete overview of fashion, culture, icons and streetwear shaping the region, explore our full Lifestyle hub 👔…

Read More

For once, these are some sneaker bricks you definitely can’t pass up. The LEGO Nike Dunk Set is officially here, and it’s bringing together two titans of creativity—LEGO and Nike—for one of the most hyped collectible launches of 2024. Combining the cultural iconography of sneakers with the hands-on joy of LEGO building, this 1,180-piece LEGO Nike Dunk kit delivers a must-have experience for both sneakerheads and LEGO enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re a collector, a DIY artist, or a parent hunting for the coolest summer release, the LEGO Nike Dunk set has already shot to the top of every “must-buy” list.…

Read More

Since its inception, Rolex has stood as a towering icon in the realm of Swiss watchmaking. A symbol of unrivalled craftsmanship and timeless design, the Rolex name is synonymous with prestige, wealth, and power. Among its prestige offerings, the Rolex Gold Day-Date, famously dubbed the “President’s Watch,” reigns supreme at the top of Rolex’s luxury food chain. While the brand’s most popular offerings like the Submariner, GMT-Master, Explorer, and Datejust have earned adoration from collectors and enthusiasts globally, one timepiece reigns supreme at the top of Rolex’s luxury food chain: the Rolex Day-Date, also famously dubbed the “President’s Watch.” Introduced…

Read More

Nike’s latest evolution of its flagship long-distance runner has arrived in a candy-coated colourway that’s as high-performance as it is high-fashion. The Nike AlphaFly 3 is already considered one of the brand’s most advanced running shoes ever created—and now, in its newest colour update for Summer/Fall 2025, it’s making a serious case for being the best running sneaker on the market right now. Certainly, it could be the best running shoe available to those who seek both style and function. With Nike’s revamped running line seeing fresh attention thanks to the Pegasus Premium and the Vomero 18, the AlphaFly 3…

Read More

There are very few photographs in internet history that have aged into genuine mythology. The Rock’s turtleneck photo is one of them. You know it immediately: a young Dwayne Johnson, built like a reinforced wall but dressed like a 1996 community college orientation day, standing in a black turtleneck tucked into high-waisted jeans, a chunky silver chain draped over the collar, a fanny pack riding his hip, a soft tissue folded carefully under his left elbow, and an expression that communicates absolute, unshakeable confidence in the entire situation. The internet discovered it. The internet lost its mind. And then, unlike…

Read More

Ask anyone who’s lived in or visited Dubai for a while, and you’ll hear a familiar line: “Time just flies here.” But why? Is there something in the sand-swept air, or is it more to do with our hyperactive schedules, mindsets, and environments? This isn’t just an abstract philosophical question—it’s rooted in neuroscience, psychology, lifestyle, and even culture. In this editorial deep dive, we explore why time seems to evaporate in Dubai faster than a bottle of water on Sheikh Zayed Road in July. The Dubai Effect: More Than Just a Feeling Dubai is a city of motion. Towers rise…

Read More

Luxury watch enthusiasts and collectors might soon find themselves digging deeper into their pockets as prominent brands such as Rolex, Omega, Cartier, and Breitling announce forthcoming price increases in response to recently imposed tariffs. With watchmakers responding to tariffs, the imposition of tariffs on Swiss imports into the United States has triggered a wave of adjustments within the luxury watch industry, affecting both pricing strategies and market dynamics significantly. For a complete overview of fashion, culture, icons and streetwear shaping the region, explore our full Lifestyle hub Background of the Tariffs The scenario began unfolding when former President Donald Trump…

Read More

NLE Choppa, born Bryson LaShun Potts on 1 November 2002, is 22 years old as of 2025. When considering NLE Choppa’s age, it’s remarkable how he has become a cultural force at such a young age. While the world knows him for platinum-certified singles and viral freestyles, Choppa has emerged as a cultural force whose impact extends far beyond music. From topping Billboard charts to launching a children’s book, he’s a symbol of Memphis pride and a new breed of artist reshaping the future of hip-hop. For a complete overview of fashion, culture, icons and streetwear shaping the region, explore…

Read More

In an era where sneaker collaborations often feel like carbon-copy marketing rollouts, the UnheardOf x adidas Rivalry Lo “Grandma’s Couch 2” breaks the mould — not just with bold design choices, but with a deeply personal narrative that resonates far beyond the sneaker community. Set to release on 10 May 2025, this limited-edition drop celebrates Mother’s Day with a tribute to love, legacy, and the power of remembrance. Following the emotional success of the original “Grandma’s Couch” collection in 2023, UnheardOf founder Phil Lipschutz returns with a new green colourway of the Rivalry Lo, revealed via @sneakyleakpod, likely as a…

Read More