In a historic and unconventional ceremony, Zohran Mamdani has officially taken office as the 112th mayor of New York City. The swearing-in took place precisely at midnight in an abandoned subway station near City Hall, marking the beginning of a new political era for the metropolis.
A Midnight Oath and a Fashion Statement
Right as the clock struck twelve, Mamdani took the oath of office with his hand placed on the Quran, which was held by his wife, Rama Duwaji. The private ceremony was filled with a unique energy, concluding with the groovy music of Sikh rapper Babbu Singh. Outside City Hall, confetti filled the air as excited New Yorkers celebrated the moment.
The event was notable not just for its politics but also for its fashion, which carried subtle cultural signatures. For the swearing-in, Mamdani chose a sophisticated black velvet suit and a white shirt. However, it was his distinctive herringbone tie that captured significant attention online.
The custom-made tie was crafted from Eri silk, a fabric sourced directly from Assam. Designed by Kartik Kumra of the label Kartik Research—a Delhi-based semi-finalist for the prestigious 2023 LVMH prize—the accessory featured delicate gold embroidery of four-petal flowers, adding an element of understated elegance to the mayoral ensemble.
The First Lady's Style Draws Mixed Reactions
By Mamdani's side, Rama Duwaji, who is quickly becoming a fashion icon for Gen Z, made a powerful style statement. For the midnight event, she wore a vintage Balenciaga wool coat with an asymmetrical funnel neck, paired with wide-legged shorts from The Frankie Shop. Her look was completed with pointed lace-up boots from Miista, sculptural earrings, and gold bracelets from New York Vintage.
The couple's outfits for both the private and public ceremonies were styled by renowned fashion editor Gabriella Karefa-Johnson. For the public inauguration outside City Hall, Mamdani opted for a tailored black suit with a burgundy silk tie, while Duwaji chose a toasted-brown separates outfit from Renaissance Renaissance, a label by Palestinian-Lebanese designer Cynthia Merhej.
Her coffee-brown wool coat, featuring faux-fur details at the cuffs and hem, was styled with statement boots and silver hoop earrings. However, Duwaji's fashion choices, particularly her expensive boots, faced online criticism. Some questioned the alignment of wearing high-value items with her husband's Democratic Socialist campaign, which focused on affordable resources for New Yorkers.
In response to such critiques, Duwaji previously told The Cut that fashion can be a medium for messaging. She highlighted that wearing a Palestinian designer during the general-election night was a conscious choice to show support.
A Ceremony Symbolizing a New Chapter
The oath of office was administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James. The unique setting of an abandoned subway station and the fusion of cultural elements—from the Assam silk to the Punjabi music—reflected Mamdani's distinctive approach to his new role.
This inauguration follows a campaign trail that also celebrated Mamdani's South Asian heritage, including a celebratory feast featuring dishes like chili chicken with tingmo bread and aloo dum. As New York City welcomes its new mayor, the focus remains on how his administration will tackle the city's challenges, while the style narratives of its First Couple continue to generate public discourse.
