Rama Duwaji, a daughter of Yemeni immigrants, is only 28 years old, but she’s already proven a vital player in New York City’s electoral politics. She happens to be the wife of Zoohran Mamdani, who as of last week won the primary for mayor of New York City. After they first connected on dating app Hinge, their love story soon blossomed and they were married in November of 2025. As Mamdani assumes his role as mayor, Duwaji steps into her new position as the city’s First Lady, bringing with her a unique blend of artistic talent and a fresh perspective on political fashion.
Duwaji is a multidisciplinary fine artist whose work traverses paint, line-drawing, ceramics, and animation. She earned her master’s degree in fine art from the School of Visual Arts in New York in 2024. Her thesis work, “Sahtain!”, is a testament to her powerful creative spirit and the way she channels deep, sometimes difficult ideas into the world through her artistic practice.
As First Lady, Duwaji really comes into her own on the national stage. In doing so, she completely changes the game of what political figures are able to say with their clothing. She’s at home cutting a swath through the high fashion avant-garde realms, where art and apparel are often interchangeable. Most recently, Duwaji sat front row at the breathtaking catwalk show for Diotima. The label is run by Rachel Scott, an American-born, Jamaican-descent designer. Her attendance at such events showcases her connection to contemporary fashion and culture.
Duwaji’s personal style has garnered acclaim for its relatability and earthiness. Fashion observers welcome her style, calling it the new Audrey Hepburn chic. Hepburn has long been considered one of the great style icons, a paragon of elegance and grace. Her stylish dark bob and contemporary yet vintage-inspired boatneck top on a recent talk show appearance made for immediate comparisons to Hepburn’s classic ensembles.
Duwaji’s victory-speech ensemble put the glamorous cherry on top of Her Majestic Excellency’s rare style sundae. She wore a dramatic all-black outfit with a high neck and slim skirt to the calves, accessorized with silver jewelry. This decision was not just an aesthetic one, though it was political. Duwaji spoke about her bold choice to wear a Palestinian designer’s outfit on stage. To some, this decision was undeniably powerful political symbolism, reflecting her support for social justice issues.
As First Lady, she will have an unparalleled pulpit to use to influence social norms and public perception. She accomplishes this both through her art and her fashion. As any fashion expert will tell you, the sartorial decisions made by those in the public eye can influence judgments about an event, even an appearance.
“are part of the conclusion people make of an event or an appearance” – Bailey Moon
Duwaji has received a lot of national press attention and indicates a larger wave of new political fashion. Today, individual expression is inextricably linked to protest. As she embraces this new chapter, her style choices will likely continue to provoke discussions about identity, culture, and the responsibilities that come with public life.