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…
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Part of our complete guide to Fashion in the UAE. Dubai has more genuine wealth per square metre than almost anywhere on earth — and yet the truly rich here often dress with surprising restraint. The secret to looking like a Dubai billionaire is not spending like one; it is understanding the codes. Here is…
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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…
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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’…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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 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…
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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…
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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…
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