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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 .

A LEGO set box featuring a basketball theme, showcasing a blue and white assembly with a basketball, a shoe, and the text "DUNK" in large letters. The box includes diagrams for assembly and branded logos for LEGO and Nike, along with the text "WHATS HOT IN UAE" on the top right.
Sneakers

The LEGO Nike Dunk Set Drops July 1st: Here’s Everything You Need to Know

For once, these are some sneaker bricks you definitely can’t pass up. The LEGO Nike Dunk Set is officially here, and it’s bringing together two titans of creativity—LEGO and Nike—for one of the most hyped collectible launches of 2024. Combining the cultural iconography of sneakers with the hands-on joy of LEGO building, this 1,180-piece LEGO…

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A triptych featuring three men: on the left, a serious-looking middle-aged man in a suit with a striped tie seated at a desk; in the center, a smiling man with short hair wearing a baseball cap and white shirt while holding a steering wheel; on the right, a distinguished man in a suit sitting in a chair with a book in hand, looking contemplative. Each section has an image of a gold Rolex watch superimposed beneath it.
Lifestyle

Rolex Gold Day-Date: The Presidential Icon That Defined Luxury

Since its inception, Rolex has stood as a towering icon in the realm of Swiss watchmaking. A symbol of unrivalled craftsmanship and timeless design, the Rolex name is synonymous with prestige, wealth, and power. Among its prestige offerings, the Rolex Gold Day-Date, famously dubbed the “President’s Watch,” reigns supreme at the top of Rolex’s luxury…

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A muscular man stands in a casual pose against a wall, wearing a black turtleneck sweater, blue jeans, and a silver watch. He has short hair and is holding a small brown pouch. A staircase is visible in the background.
Lifestyle

The Rock Turtleneck Photo: Full Fanny Pack Story

The answer in one shot: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s turtleneck photo dates to 1996. It shows the 24-year-old future wrestling star in a black turtleneck tucked into blue jeans, a silver chain, a black leather fanny pack, a fake TAG Heuer watch and—most importantly—a tissue protecting his sleeve. Johnson shared the throwback on Instagram in…

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A young man with styled short hair and a colorful jacket stands in front of a vibrant pink and orange mural, looking directly at the camera with a serious expression.
Lifestyle

How Old Is NLE Choppa? The Rising Star’s Age and Story Beyond the Mic

NLE Choppa, born Bryson LaShun Potts on 1 November 2002, is 23 years old as of 2026. When considering NLE Choppa’s age, it’s remarkable how he has become a cultural force at such a young age. While the world knows him for platinum-certified singles and viral freestyles, Choppa has emerged as a cultural force whose…

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A pair of vibrant green and beige sneakers with floral embroidery and red accents, featuring the Adidas logo and brown soles, displayed against a background of colorful floral artwork.
Sneakers

UnheardOf x adidas Rivalry Lo “Grandma’s Couch 2”

In an era where sneaker collaborations often feel like carbon-copy marketing rollouts, the UnheardOf x adidas Rivalry Lo “Grandma’s Couch 2” breaks the mould — not just with bold design choices, but with a deeply personal narrative that resonates far beyond the sneaker community. Set to release on 10 May 2025, this limited-edition drop celebrates…

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Two men posing with thumbs up next to an infinity pool, with a scenic view of the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai in the background. One man is wearing sunglasses and a casual T-shirt, while the other is dressed in traditional Emirati attire.
Lifestyle

Celebrities Spotted in Dubai 2026 — Who’s Been Here This Year

Dubai isn’t just a hotspot for luxury shopping and sky-high architecture — it’s a magnet for global celebrities. Celebrities spotted in Dubai range from Hollywood A-listers and chart-topping musicians to sports legends and fashion icons. Dubai 2025 and 2026 have already seen an impressive list of stars living it up in the city, and the…

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A man wearing a white cap and shirt, with a prominent beard and a large gold chain visible around his neck, looking slightly to the side with an expressive facial expression against a dark background.
Lifestyle

How Old Is 50 Cent? The Unfiltered Legacy of Curtis “Fif” Jackson

Curtis James Jackson III turned 50 years old on 6 July 2025 and celebrated his 51st birthday on 6 July 2026, marking half a century (and then some) of absolute mayhem. The question “how old is 50 Cent” carries delicious irony now that he’s actually reached that milestone age. Yet asking how old is 50…

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A luxury wristwatch with a silver bracelet and a textured white dial, featuring a cyclops lens for date magnification and styled with modern elements against a softly blurred cityscape at dusk.
Lifestyle

The Land-Dweller: Rolex Is Pulling Out All the Stops

When Rolex speaks, the watch world listens. That’s always been the case. However, in 2025, amid the whirlwind of Watches & Wonders, the legendary Swiss watchmaker has made it abundantly clear: they’re not here to coast on reputation. They’re here to lead with the debut of The Land-Dweller. Among an already impressive line-up of new…

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A man in a striped suit is smiling and holding a white sneaker, standing in front of a large Jordan logo projected on the wall.
Sneakers

Why Michael Jordan is the king of sneakers

Michael Jordan, an icon in the world of basketball, has not only left an indelible mark on the sport itself but has also redefined sneaker culture. With his Air Jordan line, he transformed basketball shoes into cultural symbols, making them a staple both on and off the court. The undeniable influence of Michael Jordan extends…

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