Author: Alina Ali

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Alina Ali is a lifestyle writer based in the UAE, with a sharp eye for couture, rare sneakers, and all things fashion-forward. With a background in high-end features and a passion for subculture trends, she covers everything from underground streetwear to luxury lifestyle stories that define what’s next in the UAE. When she’s not chasing the latest collab drop or front-row show, you’ll find her café-hopping in Dubai — always on the lookout for the next cool thing.

Stepping into a gleaming gym in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, you’re armed with ambition and a solid workout plan. But then the age-old question hits you: treadmill or squat rack first? One fitness influencer swears that cardio first torches fat, while a bodybuilding forum insists it’s the fastest way to kill your gains. This workout order confusion is more than just a minor headache; it’s a source of frustration that can lead to wasted effort and stalled progress, leaving you wondering if you’re accidentally ruining your own results by not structuring your workout. Forget the conflicting advice and generic answers.…

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When a non-fashion brand decides to “get into fashion,” the results often skew towards forgettable souvenir-shop trinkets or basic logo merchandise. It’s a common pitfall that dilutes a brand’s prestige rather than enhancing it. But what if a collaboration could transcend the gift shop, transforming a brand’s very identity into a tangible, wearable lifestyle? This is the strategic territory Jumeirah Group has entered with its first-ever fashion capsule, the Jumeirah Heritage Club, created with the acclaimed Dubai-based label Bouguessa. This partnership is more than just clothing; it’s a meticulously crafted case study in the future of experiential luxury. The Jumeirah…

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Few items in streetwear history have defined casual luxury quite like the Kanye West Yeezy Slides. And now, Kanye West has done it again — quietly dropping five new colours priced at just $20 each. For a designer whose influence spans fashion, music, and cultural rebellion, this feels both audacious and oddly on-brand. Once again, Ye is rewriting the rules — this time, by making hype accessible. The $20 Revolution: Ye’s Latest Power Move In August 2025, Kanye West announced that he was “taking back Yeezy,” pivoting from the big-brand machinery of adidas to a direct-to-consumer model under his independent…

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When Julia Roberts ascended the stage to accept her Oscar in 2001, her black and white velvet gown wasn’t just a dress; it was a moment. That vintage Valentino creation instantly became one of the most iconic red-carpet looks of all time, a testament to a fashion house synonymous with timeless elegance and breathtaking beauty. But the story of Valentino is far more than a highlight reel of famous dresses. Most histories are fragmented, focusing solely on the creative genius of the founder, Valentino Garavani. They miss the other half of the equation—the business mastermind who turned artistic vision into…

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Dolce & Gabbana. The name itself evokes a world of opulent Italian glamour, of Sicilian sensuality and unapologetic luxury. For decades, the brand has stood as a titan of the fashion industry, celebrated for its artistic genius and its profound impact on style. Yet, this legacy of creative brilliance is inextricably linked to a history plagued by controversy and self-inflicted wounds. Most narratives either glorify the brand’s iconic designs or focus solely on its litany of scandals. The full, unvarnished history of Dolce & Gabbana is rarely told in one place. This is that story. We will provide the single…

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You’ve seen them on TikTok and Instagram: vibrant, potent-looking ginger shots downed in one gulp, promising to wipe out an oncoming cold, cure bloating, and soothe aches and pains. But in a world of wellness fads, it’s natural to ask: Are these spicy elixirs a legitimate herbal remedy, or are they just too good to be true? Ginger Shot Benefits are here. The truth lies somewhere between the hype and the history. While a single shot isn’t a miracle cure, the science behind its core ingredient—ginger—is robust and compelling. This guide moves beyond the social media trends to deliver an…

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Jordan Brand hasn’t confirmed the full rollout yet, but anticipation around the Air Jordan 9 Space Jam is already intense. Expected to land in Fall 2026, this comeback pairs nostalgia with storytelling to honour the 30th anniversary of the original Space Jam movie. The Global Sneaker That Never Hit the Hardwood Designed by Tinker Hatfield during Michael Jordan’s first retirement in 1993, the Air Jordan 9 represented the superstar’s global reach. Its outsole carried multilingual inscriptions — “dedication”, “freedom”, “intense” — mirroring Jordan’s worldwide appeal after the ’92 Olympics. Jordan never wore the 9 in a Bulls game, yet its…

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The house of Balenciaga has finally returned to its roots in scent. After decades of silence and years of speculation, the Balenciaga fragrance collection has arrived — ten distinct perfumes that reclaim the artistry first expressed in Le Dix (1947). The launch at 10 Avenue George V in Paris marks more than a product release; it’s the revival of a legacy. A House Reawakens In 1947, Cristóbal Balenciaga introduced Le Dix, a violet-toned floral perfume created with master perfumer Francis Fabron. Its name came from the Paris address where Balenciaga built his couture empire. The scent embodied precision, architecture, and…

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The UAE sugar tax is about to get smarter. From 1 January 2026, the country shifts from a blunt, flat-rate excise system to a tiered model that actually looks at what’s inside the bottle. More sugar means more tax. Less sugar means less tax. It’s that simple, and it’s long overdue. This isn’t just bureaucratic tweaking. It’s a calculated move to nudge both producers and consumers towards healthier choices without scaring off investment or triggering inflation. The Ministry of Finance has confirmed the framework, and it’s already causing a quiet scramble across the beverage industry. Companies are reformulating. Retailers are…

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On 20 September 2025, Jordan Brand released its El Vuelo footwear collection, a tribute to Mexico’s vibrant Lucha Libre culture. The collection creates an authentic connection between sneaker enthusiasts and wrestling fans worldwide, blending Michael Jordan’s legacy of flight with the artistry of luchadores. A Cultural Celebration The El Vuelo collection embodies the bravery, skill, and transformation of Mexico’s iconic masked wrestlers. Just as luchadores launch themselves into the air with fearless acrobatics, Michael Jordan defied gravity on the basketball court. The name El Vuelo—meaning “the flight”—captures this shared spirit of strength and elevation. Lucha Libre is more than sport;…

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