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.

Close-up of a black and red high-top sneaker with a white sole, featuring a prominent Nike swoosh logo and black laces.

Few sneakers carry the weight of the Air Jordan 1 “Bred.” It is the shoe that started it all — the black-and-red high-top that Nike built the entire Jordan empire around. The Air Jordan 1 High ’85 “Bred” brings back the original 1985 build in its truest form, and it is one of the most sought-after retros of the year. Here is the story and how to get a pair in the UAE. Quick Facts DetailInformation ShoeAir Jordan 1 High ’85 “Bred” ColourwayBlack / Varsity Red / White (the original “Bred”) The ’85 differenceBuilt to the original 1985 pattern —…

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Pair of slip-on shoes, one white and one gray, with rounded edges and a minimalist design.

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 Sundefined Yeezy Slides. Dubbed Kanye West’s YZY Sundefined 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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When adidas links with Willy Chavarria, you get something rare in sneakers: a collaboration with real fashion credibility and a point of view. Chavarria is one of the most celebrated names in American fashion, known for dignity, tailoring and Chicano cultural pride — and his adidas work brings that sensibility to the three stripes. Here is the collab and how to shop it in the UAE. Quick Facts DetailInformation Collaborationadidas x Willy Chavarria The designerWilly Chavarria — award-winning American fashion designer known for elevated tailoring and cultural storytelling The lookA refined, fashion-led take on adidas silhouettes and apparel Where to…

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A black Crocs shoe with unique basketball-themed decorations, including a textured upper resembling a basketball court, an NBA logo on the side, and a miniature basketball hoop charm near the toe area.

Mark your calendars, sneakerheads and basketball fans alike—Crocs and the NBA are teaming up to drop a bold new collaboration just in time for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game. This unexpected yet exciting partnership blends Crocs’ comfort with basketball-inspired aesthetics. It offers a unique footwear option for fans to commemorate the highly anticipated event. Set to release on February 12th, these special-edition clogs will retail for $70. This adds to the buzz surrounding All-Star Weekend. A Look at the Design The official images showcase a standout design that pays homage to basketball culture, including the NBA logo prominently featured. The…

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Dior, the globally celebrated French fashion house, has been synonymous with luxury, elegance, and innovation since its inception in 1946. Founded by Christian Dior, the brand revolutionised women’s fashion in the post-war era with its iconic “New Look”. This redefined femininity and brought a fresh vision to haute couture. Over the decades, Dior has evolved into a powerhouse. It influences not only fashion but also art, culture, and beauty industries worldwide. Here, we look at the history of Christian Dior. Christian Dior: The Visionary Behind the Brand He was born in Granville, Normandy, in 1905 into a wealthy family. Initially…

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Pair of light pink high-top sneakers with red accents and textured pink details on the toe and heel.

Get ready to fall in love with sneakers this season! Jordan Brand is kicking off February in style with the release of the Air Jordan 3 “Valentine’s Day”, a women’s exclusive dropping on February 1st, 2025. Initially expected to debut on February 5th, this highly anticipated release brings a fresh, luxurious touch to the iconic silhouette. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, this shoe is the perfect way to celebrate love and style. Design and Details This Valentine’s Day edition of the Air Jordan 3 is all about elegance. The upper features a Washed Coral hue crafted from supple…

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A man wearing dark sunglasses and a black leather jacket with a gold chain necklace in front of a blue and white background.

Since parting ways with adidas, Ye (formerly Kanye West) has taken Yeezy fully independent — and the BL-01 “Bullys” is one of the results. Stripped-back, moulded and sold direct to consumers, it is a very different proposition from the old adidas Yeezy machine. Here is what the Yeezy BL-01 is, and how it works for buyers in the UAE. Quick Facts DetailInformation ShoeYeezy BL-01 (“Bullys”) DesignMinimalist, moulded one-piece silhouette in Ye’s stripped-back Yeezy language Sold viaYeezy’s own direct-to-consumer channel (yeezy.com) — no longer through adidas UAE availabilityNo official local retail; international direct orders and the resale market The Post-adidas Yeezy…

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A pair of Adidas sneakers with a distinctive design, featuring a perforated sole and a two-tone color scheme with blue and yellow uppers, complemented by the classic black Adidas stripes.

adidas, renowned for revolutionising the footwear industry, is at it again with the introduction of its latest innovation—the adidas ZPONGE. Following the monumental success of BOOST and 4D technologies, the Three Stripes is breaking new ground with a midsole inspired by the biology of sea sponges. This leading design promises to redefine comfort and performance in athletic footwear. Nature-Inspired Innovation The adidas ZPONGE takes a leap forward by looking to nature for inspiration. The midsole’s engineered open-cell structure mimics the highly compressional properties of real sponges, offering a unique blend of support and comfort. Designed without a uniform pattern, the…

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Dubai’s luxury malls have become more than just shopping destinations; they are immersive art and fashion hubs. These hubs merge high fashion with stunning artistic displays. This fusion creates a unique shopping experience, offering visitors a lively and sensory feast. From innovative digital art spaces to high-fashion collaborations, Dubai is redefining the intersection of art and commerce. Art Meets Fashion. ARTE MUSEUM DUBAI: A Visual Spectacle One of the most prominent examples of this blend is the ARTE MUSEUM DUBAI. It is situated on the second floor of The Dubai Mall, opposite Galeries Lafayette. Spanning an impressive 30,000 square feet,…

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A person with curly hair holding a beige high-top sneaker, standing against a white brick wall.

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a new wave of female sneaker enthusiasts, or sneakerheads, is shaking up a traditionally male-dominated industry. These women are redefining sneaker culture. They are proving that style and passion for kicks know no gender boundaries. By challenging stereotypes and carving out their space in the sneaker community, they are inspiring a shift in attitudes across the region. For a complete overview of What’s Hot across the world of Sneakers, explore our full UAE Sneakers guide Trailblazing Female Sneakerheads in the UAE The UAE has become home to a growing number of female sneakerheads. These…

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