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.

Scoring a front-row seat at Dubai Fashion Week isn’t just about the best view of the runway—it’s about status, exclusivity, and being immersed in one of the Middle East’s most influential fashion events. Dubai Fashion Week (DFW), held at Dubai Design District (d3), is the crown jewel of the UAE fashion calendar. It is co-organised by the Arab Fashion Council and Dubai Design District. This SEO-optimised guide will walk you through everything you need to know to land that coveted front-row seat. You will learn about media credentials, purchasing VIP access, and more. If fashion is your domain or aspiration,…

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The UAE is home to some of the most fashion-forward and ultra-luxurious styles in the world. From the streets of Downtown Dubai to the high-end lounges of Abu Dhabi’s Al Maryah Island, fashion is all about status, quality, and exclusivity. But if you’re curious about how to dress like a billionaire, what if you want to look like a Billionaire without spending like one? Here’s your ultimate guide to dressing like a UAE-based Billionaire—without the Burj Khalifa-sized price tag. For a complete overview of fashion, culture, icons and streetwear shaping the region, explore our full Lifestyle hub 1. Luxury Streetwear…

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In the world of sneakers, there are rare pairs—and then there are one-of-one grails that redefine exclusivity. The Air Jordan 11 “Purple Rain”, a sneaker crafted exclusively for the legendary musician Prince, falls into the latter category. This Air Jordan Prince edition did not reach his hands before his passing in 2016. Now, they’ve surfaced for sale at a staggering $100,000. Here’s what makes this Air Jordan 11 one of the most unique sneaker releases ever in the realm of Air Jordan Prince editions. For a complete overview of What’s Hot across the world of Sneakers, explore our full UAE…

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Streetwear meets comfort as A Bathing Ape (BAPE) x Crocs come together for an unexpected but highly anticipated collaboration. For the first time, the Japanese streetwear giant has teamed up with the undisputed king of foam footwear. They deliver a three-pack of BAPE x Crocs Classic Clog designs that fuse bold camo aesthetics with Crocs’ signature comfort. This exciting pairing of BAPE and Crocs showcases innovation in footwear styling. Set to launch globally on March 8, 2025, this collaboration is shaping up to be one of the most hyped sneaker-adjacent drops of the year. Together, both are creating a buzz.…

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Luxury fashion house Tom Ford has entered a new era by unveiling its first-ever Ramadan Collection. This collection is available exclusively in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. This milestone marks the brand’s deepening connection with its Middle Eastern clientele. The collection offers a refined and elegant capsule collection tailored for the holy month. While fashion lovers eagerly anticipate Haider Ackermann’s debut collection as Tom Ford’s new creative director at Paris Fashion Week, this Ramadan-exclusive drop proves the brand continues to evolve. It blends sophistication. Additionally, it includes cultural appreciation and modern luxury. For a complete overview of fashion, culture,…

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Pharrell Williams has once again pushed the boundaries of sneaker culture with his latest Adidas Superstar 92—a bold, oversized reimagining of one of the most iconic sneakers of all time. Teaming up with Pusha T and Clipse, Pharrell has fused 90s nostalgia, hip-hop heritage, and modern streetwear aesthetics to create a shoe that feels both fresh and deeply rooted in history. Pharrell Williams Reinvents the Adidas Superstar in a way that merges the past and the future seamlessly. Set to release on March 1, 2025, the Superstar 92 brings a chunky silhouette inspired by snowboard boots and skate shoes, making…

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Stüssy is more than just a brand—it’s a movement. Born in the surf scene of Southern California, it has evolved into one of the most enduring and influential streetwear brands in history. While many of its contemporaries have faded into obscurity, Stüssy remains relevant, desirable, and deeply embedded in street culture. But why is Stüssy still cool after over four decades? We find out. The History of Stüssy: From Surfboards to Streetwear Stüssy was founded in 1980 by Shawn Stussy, a surfboard shaper from Laguna Beach, California. Initially, he was just scribbling his signature on custom surfboards. Soon, that iconic…

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The distinctive rhino logo, once a ubiquitous emblem of urban cool, represented more than just a fashion statement; it was a uniform for a generation. Ecko Unlimited exploded onto the streetwear scene in the late 1990s, embodying an undeniable urban attitude and playful rebellion that resonated from New York to Dubai. Founded by Marc Ecko, the brand’s graffiti-inspired designs and bold graphics quickly made it a global fashion powerhouse. Yet, by the mid-2010s, its cultural relevance seemed to dim, overshadowed by a new wave of streetwear giants. This article unpacks Ecko Unlimited’s meteoric rise, the missteps that led to its…

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The Air Jordan 1 High ’85 “Bred” is shaping up to be one of the most significant sneaker releases of 2025. This is for good reason. This painstakingly reconstructed edition brings sneakerheads the closest possible retro version of the original 1985 design. It is a dream come true for Jordan fans. A True OG Comeback Jordan Brand didn’t just re-release another Air Jordan 1 – they rebuilt it from scratch. The design team meticulously recreated every stitch, panel, and material. Their goal was to match the legendary 1985 version as closely as possible. This release, from the high-cut silhouette to…

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Kanye West’s financial empire, currently valued at $2.77 billion, is set to expand even further as he launches two new colourways of his viral YZY SL01 Yeezy Slides. Dubbed Kanye West’s YZY SL01 Yeezy Slides, these slides originally debuted in January at an eye-watering price of just $20 before taxes and shipping. The release created massive hype, and within 24 hours, Ye revealed that his YZY e-commerce platform raked in $3 million in sales, with the majority of purchases coming from these ultra-affordable slip-ons. New Colourways Just Dropped Following the successful launch of the original black pair, Ye has now…

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