Fashion Police | How New York's First Lady Rama Duwaji made a style statement in a coat by Palestinian-Lebanese designer at Zohran Mamdani's inauguration

New York City's new First Lady, Rama Duwaji, is making waves not just for her artistry and activism, but also for her distinctive and culturally conscious fashion choices. At the historic inauguration of her husband, Zohran Mamdani, as the city's first Muslim mayor on Thursday, January 1, 2026, Duwaji showcased her support for Middle Eastern designers by wearing a custom coat by Palestinian-Lebanese designer Cynthia Merhej of the brand Renaissance Renaissance.

The inauguration, which was split into two ceremonies, saw Duwaji making bold fashion statements that spoke volumes. For the midnight swearing-in, a private ceremony held at the decommissioned City Hall subway station, Duwaji wore a vintage Balenciaga coat rented from Albright Fashion Library, paired with culotte-style shorts from The Frankie Shop and Miista boots. This choice of a vintage piece aligns with Duwaji's commitment to circular fashion. Mamdani was sworn in by New York Attorney General Letitia James, and he took the oath of office on a centuries-old Quran held by Duwaji.

Later that day, for the public inauguration ceremony at City Hall, Duwaji opted for a statement piece by Cynthia Merhej. The custom faux fur and wool coat, featuring a three-tiered fringe pattern, was based on a design from Renaissance Renaissance's autumn/winter 2023 collection and was made in Beirut. This choice put a spotlight on a small, independent woman designer from the Middle East, as noted by Duwaji's stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson.

Duwaji's fashion choices are seen as a departure from the traditional "first lady" image, embracing authenticity, culture, and personal expression. Her style is described as a blend of street styling with refined form, often incorporating cultural motifs and supporting emerging designers. On the night of Mamdani's election victory in November 2025, Duwaji wore a Zeid Hijazi denim top, amplifying regional designers.

Her stylist, Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, emphasized the significance of Duwaji's fashion choices, stating that "fashion communicates" and "sends a message". Duwaji has been known to use her clothing to start dialogues about causes she believes in. She has previously voiced her support for Palestine, sharing illustrations about the hunger crisis in Gaza and expressing solidarity with Palestinian families facing displacement.

Zohran Mamdani, also made a style statement of his own. For the midnight ceremony, he wore a suit with a herringbone necktie by Delhi-based designer Kartik Kumra's label, Kartik Research. The custom tie was cut from eri silk fabric from Assam and embroidered with four-petal flowers. At the public inauguration, Mamdani wore a suit and printed tie from Kartik Research.

Rama Duwaji's fashion choices at the inauguration have sparked conversations about the role of political spouses and the power of fashion to convey cultural and political messages. Her decision to wear a coat by a Palestinian-Lebanese designer is seen as a symbol of solidarity and a celebration of Middle Eastern talent. As New York City's First Lady, Duwaji is redefining political style, blending artistic vision with political purpose and using her platform to support emerging designers and promote meaningful causes.