Fashion as a Statement: Rama Duwaji's Inauguration Style
Fashion can speak volumes, and that's precisely what Rama Duwaji, the wife of New York City's newly sworn-in Mayor Zohran Mamdani, is doing. Her style choices are already turning heads and sparking conversations. But what makes her wardrobe so significant? Let's dive in.
Duwaji, a Syrian-American illustrator and animator, has quickly become a style icon. For the inauguration, she chose a custom brown faux-fur and wool coat from Renaissance Renaissance, a brand by Palestinian-Lebanese designer Cynthia Merhej. The coat, featuring a three-tier fringe, was entirely sourced and made in Beirut, Lebanon, drawing from the fall/winter 2023 collection. She paired this striking piece with brown lace-up boots.
Stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson played a key role in curating Duwaji's inauguration looks. Karefa-Johnson shared on her Substack that the coat was a collaborative effort involving designer Merhej's female family members, highlighting the strength of women and their community.
"On her first official day as First Lady of New York, Rama is wearing a small, independent woman designer from the Middle East," Karefa-Johnson noted. "That representation resonates. It reverberates. Because fashion communicates. It sends a message."
A Midnight Moment:
Duwaji's style choices extended to the midnight inauguration held in a former subway station below City Hall. She opted for a cozy yet minimalist vintage Balenciaga coat, paired with archival gold, sculptural statement earrings from New York Vintage. This was complemented by knee-length formal shorts from The Frankie Shop and black ankle boots on loan from Miista.
Subverting Expectations:
At 28 years old, Duwaji is redefining the role of a first lady with her modern and understated style. She told The Cut, "I love fashion, and I love being creative and putting things together and styling things," often incorporating thrift finds into her looks.
During Mamdani's victory speech in November, Duwaji wore a dark denim square-neck top by Palestinian-Jordanian designer Zeid Hijazi and a Ulla Johnson black skirt, accessorized with statement dangling earrings by New York City jewelry designer Eddie Borgo. This choice, as she explained to The Cut, was a conscious decision: "It's nice to have a little bit of analysis on the clothes... During the general-election night, it was nice to send a message about Palestinians by wearing a Palestinian designer."
The Bigger Picture:
Duwaji's fashion choices are more than just clothing; they are statements of identity, heritage, and support for independent designers. They reflect a conscious effort to use fashion as a means of communication and representation. What do you think about her choices? Do you agree with the messages she is sending? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
