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Alina Ali

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 .

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Lifestyle

Bella Hadid in Dubai: Orebella Fragrance Launch

The buzz was undeniable. Hundreds of fans, some waiting for hours, crowded the Fashion Dome at Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates, their phones held high. The reason for the excitement? A star-studded appearance by American-Dutch-Palestinian supermodel Bella Hadid in Dubai. While news reports captured the glamour, they often left fans with scattered details and unanswered…

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A person wearing a white dress and white sneakers is walking past a bright green garage door, holding a designer handbag. In the bottom right corner, an image of a person with white hair and sunglasses is overlaid.
Lifestyle

The History of Fendi: A 100-Year Dynasty of Family, Fur, and Fashion

From the cobblestoned streets of Rome to the glittering skylines of Dubai, few names command the same reverence in luxury fashion as Fendi. For nearly a century, its interlocking ‘FF’ logo has signified more than just opulence; it represents a legacy of daring innovation, unmatched craftsmanship, and an unbreakable family bond. Yet, trying to grasp…

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A man intensely working out on an exercise bike in a futuristic gym with a digital display showing metrics like 'EPOC Afterburn Effect.' The setting includes large windows with a city skyline at sunset.
Health & Fitness

Cardio Before or After Weights? Structuring Your Workout for Maximum Results

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…

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A man wearing a cap, sunglasses, and a white T-shirt with a navy sweatshirt draped over his shoulders walks while holding a black bag. A vintage beige SUV is parked in the background with trees providing shade.
Lifestyle

Jumeirah Bouguessa Collaboration: The Blueprint for Experiential Luxury

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…

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A person holding a microphone is pointing towards a $20 sign next to a pair of blue slides on a light background.
Sneakers

Kanye West Yeezy Slides: The $20 Revolution That’s Redefining Streetwear

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,…

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Lifestyle

The Complete History of Valentino: The Untold Story of a Fashion Empire

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 sign of a fashion house a byword for timeless elegance and breathtaking…

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Lifestyle

Dolce & Gabbana History: The Brand, Controversies and 2026 Change

Dolce & Gabbana is an Italian luxury house founded by designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, whose first runway collection appeared in Milan in 1985. Its history is not a neat rise from small studio to global fame. The same brand that made Sicilian black lace, corsetry and leopard print instantly recognisable has repeatedly damaged…

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A hand holding a steaming glass of golden turmeric and ginger shot on a wooden table, surrounded by fresh ginger, turmeric root, and whole black peppercorns.
Health & Fitness

5 Science-Backed Ginger Shot Benefits: An Evidence-Based Guide

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…

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A promotional image for "Space Jam" featuring a cartoon character, a person in a basketball jersey, and a close-up of a black and white basketball shoe with a red logo, set against a background with the text "What's Hot in UAE."
Sneakers

Air Jordan 9 Space Jam: Everything We Know About the Fall 2026 Release

Jordan Brand still hasn’t made it official, but retailer sightings have narrowed the window: the Air Jordan 9 Space Jam (SKU HV4794-106) was originally pencilled in for August 29, 2026, then pushed to September 19, 2026 according to the latest retailer listings. Either way, it lands this fall to mark the 30th anniversary of the…

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A hand pours sugar from a red soda can into a tall glass, overfilling it with sugar and spilling onto a dark background.
Health & Fitness

UAE Sugar Tax: New Beverage Rules Take Effect in January 2026

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…

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A white sneaker with red accents on the toe and heel, green detail near the ankle, and gold eyelets, set against a black background with the text "WHAT'S HOT IN UAE."
Sneakers

Jordan Brand Honors Lucha Libre with El Vuelo Collection

On 20 September 2025, Jordan Brand released its El Vuelo footwear collection, a tribute to Mexico’s lively 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,…

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