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 .
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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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…
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Get ready to fall in love with sneakers this season! Jordan Brand is kicking off February in style with the release of the Air Jordan 3 “Valentine’s Day”, a women’s exclusive dropping on February 1st, 2025. Initially expected to debut on February 5th, this highly anticipated release brings a fresh, luxurious touch to the iconic…
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Since parting ways with adidas, Ye (formerly Kanye West) has taken Yeezy fully independent — and the BL-01 “Bullys” is one of the results. Stripped-back, moulded and sold direct to consumers, it is a very different proposition from the old adidas Yeezy machine. Here is what the Yeezy BL-01 is, and how it works for…
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adidas, renowned for revolutionising the footwear industry, is at it again with the introduction of its latest innovation—the adidas ZPONGE. Following the monumental success of BOOST and 4D technologies, the Three Stripes is breaking new ground with a midsole inspired by the biology of sea sponges. This leading design promises to redefine comfort and performance…
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Dubai’s luxury malls have become more than just shopping destinations; they are immersive art and fashion hubs. These hubs merge high fashion with stunning artistic displays. This fusion creates a unique shopping experience, offering visitors a lively and sensory feast. From innovative digital art spaces to high-fashion collaborations, Dubai is redefining the intersection of art…
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In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a new wave of female sneaker enthusiasts, or sneakerheads, is shaking up a traditionally male-dominated industry. These women are redefining sneaker culture. They are proving that style and passion for kicks know no gender boundaries. By challenging stereotypes and carving out their space in the sneaker community, they are…
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