Rama Duwaji’s inaugural coat highlights her generational, artistic style

Rama Duwaji, a 28-year-old artist and the wife of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, stood beside her husband at his public swearing-in at City Hall on Thursday wearing a chocolate-brown princess-line coat that drew attention. She wore a funnel-necked, chocolate-brown princess-line coat trimmed in — presumably faux or shearling — fur at the cuffs and skirt, with matching high-heeled brown boots and dramatic earrings, the newspaper said.

Observers noted the look as a contrast to the sea of puffers and overcoats in subzero weather, describing it as a little funky, a little vintage, a little Tolstoy and entirely proper. Ms. Duwaji, New York’s youngest first lady and its first Gen Z and first Muslim first lady, told New York magazine in December, “I think there are different ways to be first lady, especially in New York.” The piece notes she helped develop her husband’s campaign logo, posts images to her 1.6 million Instagram followers, and has used her visibility to support emerging designers and artists.

Earlier looks cited included an election-night outfit by Palestinian designer Zeid Hijazi and Ulla Johnson, and a private swearing-in outfit just after midnight on Jan. 1 that USA Today called “art world chic.” What exactly Ms. Duwaji’s remark about different ways to be first lady will mean in practice “is yet to be determined,” the article said, but her fashion choices and photo shoot work were described as signaling a generational shift and aligning with Mr.

Key Topics

Culture, Rama Duwaji, Zohran Mamdani, New York City, Mayoral Inauguration, Zeid Hijazi