Let’s be realistic—when British winter sets in, and grey skies seem a permanent fixture, it’s tempting not to daydream of palm trees, roof pools and sunsets on golden sands. And where is a better place to indulge your dose of escapism than vicariously living through the glamour of Dubai influencers?
Over the past few years, Dubai has become the unofficial HQ for creators chasing sunshine, style and viral content. And if you’re based in the UK, chances are your Instagram or TikTok feed has been flooded with Dubai scenes more than once. But it’s not just the aesthetics—it’s the energy, the ambition and the sheer vibe of it all that has us hooked.
Let’s get to the bottom of why UK viewers are so hooked on this rising influencer culture—and why it’s more than flash and filters.
Dubai: The New Digital Playground
Dubai isn’t all about skyscrapers and flash cars (although, yes, there are a lot of those). It’s also a centre of creativity for influencers wanting to establish a brand and a company. With balmy weather throughout the year, breathtaking places and a fabulous influencer-supportive economy (no income tax), it’s no wonder creators are flocking there in numbers.
For creators, the city is like a movie set, and for British viewers scrolling on a drizzly day, it’s a flash of wanderlust. But underneath the nice photos, Dubai influencers have an amount of hustle that is pretty relatable. They are creating something from scratch, just in a more glamorous version.
The Influencers Making Waves in the UK
Some names are particularly notable when it comes to influencers residing in (or frequently visiting) Dubai with huge UK followings:
- Farhana Bodi: Glamorous, fearless and not afraid to be vulnerable, Farhana connects with UK fans, particularly women of colour, by blending glamour with honest discussion on motherhood and independence.
- DJ Bliss: He’s got the night, the vibe, and that sleek mix of Arab and Western lifestyles. To music and club enthusiasts in Britain, he’s the one providing the insider’s peek at Gulf glitter.
- Mona Kattan: As one of the Huda Beauty faces, Mona’s popularity extends beyond the realm of beauty. Her path to wellness, self-assurance and women’s empowerment resonates with many women working their way through the same process in the UK.
- Chunkz: Though a UK native himself, Chunkz’s regular collabs and travels to Dubai have bridged the digital gap between London and the UAE. To his followers, Dubai seems slightly closer, slightly more reachable, due to him.
Ali & Walaa: Ali and Walaa are a Dubai-based influencer couple who are becoming popular in the UK for posting light-hearted and authentic family content on the internet. Their fans enjoy watching their daily life, fashion, and travel videos. They have even collaborated with major brands such as Ralph Lauren.
Why Do We Love Watching Them So Much?
It’s not only envy (although, okay, that’s in there too). It’s the mix of fantasy and reality. The top Dubai influencers aren’t simply posing by pools—they’re posting the hustle behind the scenes, the identity struggles and the grind of creating a business in a high-pressure, competitive world.
For UK viewers, especially Gen Z and Millennials, this mix is strong. We crave aspiration, sure—but we crave authenticity as well. We want to watch individuals who’ve risked it all, upped and moved to another country, and pursued their passions, not merely followers.
And perhaps there’s a subtle allure to watching people from different backgrounds make it. Lots of Dubai influencers are first- or second-generation immigrants themselves, so for UK viewers who come from the same kind of backgrounds, there’s a feeling of representation and potential in their narratives.
A Two-Way Street Between Dubai and the UK
The relationship between Dubai and UK creators is a close one. We’ve seen loads of British influencers travelling to Dubai for partnerships, PR events, or just to recharge and film. Molly-Mae, Lydia Millen, and KSI have all dipped their toes in Dubai waters, adding fuel to the trend.
Similarly, Dubai-based social media personalities tend to travel to the UK to attend fashion weeks, product launches and content shoots. It’s this shuttling back and forth that makes Dubai not so much “somewhere else” but an extended digital neighbourhood.
British companies are also joining in on the action, partnering with Dubai-based designers to access multicultural and international markets, without having to have a global marketing department.
Dubai’s Professional Take on Influencing
Unlike the Wild West of certain influencer cultures, Dubai made it official. There’s even an Influencer Academy, which facilitates creators obtaining training, licences and opportunities within content creation. It’s influencer school, but with palm trees.
That kind of structure adds legitimacy to influencing as a career, which—let’s face it—still gets side-eyed in parts of the UK. But for young creators in Britain dreaming of something bigger, Dubai’s organised, business-focused environment is an attractive alternative.
The Controversial Bits
Of course, not all is sunshine and roses. Dubai has a complicated relationship with freedoms such as freedom of speech, gender roles and workers’ rights. And when Dubai influencers sugarcoat these facts or flaunt wealth insensitively amidst global crises, UK audiences are quick to catch on—and call them out.
Certain Dubai influencers have come under fire for tone-deaf posts, and others have been accused of blithely disregarding the cultural and political context in which they live. In the UK, where politics and social justice are normally on the agenda, that is something that matters.
That being said, there are many influencers who do use their platforms to talk about more serious issues—immigration, mental health, identity—and when they do, their content resonates even more with UK followers.
What Follows?
The UK’s attraction for Dubai and its influencer scene doesn’t seem to be slowing down either. We should probably see even stronger digital linkages as more creators migrate between the two countries and viewers search for material that combines authenticity and ambition.
We’ll see more brand deals, more content collabs, and likely more British creators relocating permanently to the UAE in search of sun, structure, and storytelling opportunities.
For British audiences, Dubai is still a digital getaway—but also a place of inspiration, particularly when the material transcends filters and shows off.
Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Pretty Feed
Dubai influencers are not just trendsetters—they’re international storytellers. And for UK fans, they provide something that feels both otherworldly and reassuringly down-to-earth.
Whether it’s a glimpse into a luxury lifestyle, a story of building a business from scratch, or just a much-needed hit of vitamin D through your screen, Dubai’s digital creators are here to stay.
And who knows? Perhaps the next big influencer sensation of Dubai will not be from Dubai, but from somewhere in Manchester, Birmingham, or Croydon—dreaming big, observing closely, and waiting to step into the sun.