Rama Duwaji's Fashion Statement Steals the Show at Historic Mayoral Election
In a night that marked political history for New York City, all eyes were on Rama Duwaji, the newly appointed First Lady, as she made her debut appearance at husband Zohran Mamdani's mayoral election victory celebration on November 8, 2025. While Mamdani became the city's first South Asian mayor, Duwaji quietly captured attention through her carefully chosen ensemble that spoke volumes about identity and solidarity.
The Outfit: A Masterclass in Meaningful Fashion
The animator and illustrator, who has emerged as a Gen Z fashion icon, selected an understated yet powerful black ensemble that combined luxury with purpose. Her look featured an embroidered top by Palestinian-Jordanian designer Zeid Hijazi, paired elegantly with a velvet lace skirt from Ulla Johnson. Completing her sophisticated appearance were sculptural earrings by New York-based designer Eddie Borgo.
What appeared as a simple fashion choice to casual observers was actually a deeply personal-political statement. Duwaji's choice to spotlight a Palestinian designer at such a significant political event came amid ongoing global conversations around identity and resistance, positioning fashion as a language of activism.
Tatreez Embroidery: More Than Just Decoration
The centerpiece of Duwaji's ensemble was the intricate Tatreez embroidery, a centuries-old Palestinian craft that carries profound cultural significance. Far from being mere ornamentation, Tatreez functions as a living record of resistance and survival, with each stitch telling stories of memory and endurance.
According to The Met Museum's documentation, Palestinian women historically embroidered their thobes (traditional dresses) with motifs that narrated both personal and collective histories. As the museum notes, "Until the mid-twentieth century, Palestinian dress styles reflected an individual or a place — a wife, a mother, a daughter, a family, a village, a town, a field, a market. The thobe marks the owner's life and holds a woman's biographical details through her choice of thread, colour, and pattern — a story told in stitches."
By wearing this embroidery, Duwaji made a gesture of remembrance and quiet defiance, honoring the Palestinian community's resilience in the face of displacement and loss.
A Modern Political Couple's Symbolic Choices
While Duwaji made her statement through fashion, Mamdani also incorporated personal symbolism into his appearance. The newly elected mayor wore a dark suit accessorized with three silver rings that represented his heritage and relationships. One ring was a family heirloom passed down from his grandfather, another was a gift from Duwaji, and the third was his wedding band.
The couple's journey to this historic moment reflects modern romance, having met on the dating app Hinge before progressing to a City Hall wedding and now, to the steps of political history. Their coordinated yet personal style choices demonstrate how contemporary political figures use fashion to communicate values and connections.
Duwaji's fashion statement places her within a distinguished lineage of First Ladies, from Princess Diana to Michelle Obama, who have mastered the art of turning public appearances into meaningful communications. Her debut establishes her as not just a fashion influencer but as a thoughtful activist using her platform to amplify marginalized voices and traditions.
