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.

Three pairs of colorful, cartoon-themed Crocs shoes featuring camouflage patterns in pink, blue, and green, adorned with various decorative badges, displayed on a sandy surface.

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.Related: check our Best Sneaker Stores in Dubai (8 Verified Shops) for where to buy authentic releases and avoid fakes. Set to launch globally on March 8, 2025, this collaboration is shaping…

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Ramadan and Eid have become one of the most important moments on the luxury calendar — and nowhere more than the Gulf. When Tom Ford debuted a Ramadan collection created exclusively for the GCC, it was a signal of just how central the region has become to global fashion. Here is what that means, what these collections offer, and where to shop the look in the UAE. Why the GCC Gets Its Own Collections The Gulf is one of the world’s most valuable luxury markets, and the Ramadan-to-Eid season is its peak — a time of gatherings, gifting and dressing…

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The adidas Superstar is one of the most recognisable sneakers ever made — the shell-toe that went from the basketball court to hip-hop royalty. Now Pharrell Williams has put his stamp on it, reworking the icon and enlisting Pusha T for the moment. Here is what the Pharrell Superstar is about, and how to get a pair in the UAE. Quick Facts DetailInformation ShoePharrell Williams x adidas Superstar CampaignFronted with Pusha T, celebrating the Superstar’s cultural legacy DesignPharrell’s premium, considered reinterpretation of the classic shell-toe Where to buy (UAE)adidas UAE stores, adidas.ae and the adidas CONFIRMED app, plus Level Shoes…

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Stüssy is still cool because it survived the point at which heritage normally becomes a costume. The brand kept its founder’s visual language, but stopped treating old graphics as the whole product. It narrowed distribution, improved the clothes, stayed privately held and used collaborations as punctuation rather than life support. The result is rare: teenagers can discover the eight-ball for the first time while people who wore Stüssy in the 1990s can buy a jacket that does not feel like nostalgia merch. Why Stüssy is still cool: the seven-part answer ReasonWhat Stüssy did differentlyWhy it matters nowIt owns its origin…

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Ecko Unlimited did not go out of business. What disappeared was its early-2000s dominance and much of its founder-led retail machine. The trademarks were sold to Iconix in two deals, the main US apparel licensee later entered bankruptcy, and the brand continued under licensing. Ecko.com is selling new collections in 2026, while founder Marc Ecko returned for a limited 30th-anniversary capsule—not as the brand’s owner. That distinction matters because “Ecko died” is the wrong story. This evidence-checked account separates the brand, the company operating its clothes and stores, Marc Ecko himself, and Complex—the media business he founded later. The questionVerified…

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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.Related: check our Best Sneaker Stores in Dubai (8 Verified Shops) for where to buy authentic releases and avoid fakes. A Look at the Design 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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