Zohran Mamdani and Wife Rama Duwaji's Inauguration Look by Controversial Stylist

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Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Wife's Inauguration Style

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his wife Rama Duwaji made a striking appearance at their inauguration, dressed by a controversial celebrity stylist named Gabriella Karefa-Johnson. Known for her work as a former Vogue contributing editor-at-large, Karefa-Johnson resigned after making a series of inflammatory remarks about Israel.

Karefa-Johnson, 34, shared details about the couple’s attire on her Substack platform. She mentioned that Mamdani wore a “handwoven silk” tie created by New Delhi-based designer Kartik Kumra during the swearing-in ceremony. Duwaji, on the other hand, was seen in $630 leather boots borrowed from Miista and a rented vintage Balenciaga coat. Additionally, she wore earrings from New York Vintage, which Karefa-Johnson praised as part of the overall look.

“This look is honest. Real. Regal in the punkest way,” she wrote, highlighting the authenticity of the mayor’s ensemble. She also noted that the Big Apple’s first lady’s outfit reflected a blend of style and substance.

Karefa-Johnson, who left her position at Vogue following a heated conflict in 2023, described the mayor’s fashion choices as “simple.” She pointed out that Mamdani wears suits from Suit Supply and the same two pairs of boots regularly. However, she emphasized that the tie was a standout piece, noting its craftsmanship and attention to detail.

“You see it in the loomwork, the embroidery, the weave itself. This tie reflects the old-world craftsmanship,” she wrote, underscoring the significance of the accessory.

Later, the couple changed into different outfits for the public inauguration ceremony held outside City Hall on Thursday afternoon. Duwaji was seen wearing a full-length coat designed by Palestinian-Lebanese designer Cynthia Merhej, according to Karefa-Johnson.

Karefa-Johnson sparked controversy when she expressed strong views against Israel, comparing it to an “apartheid state” and accusing the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) of being a “terrorist organization.” Her comments came in October 2023, shortly after the bombing of Gaza following the Hamas attack on Israel.

“I cannot believe that the world is watching in silence as a GENOCIDE — a mass Palestinian extinction plan — is happening before our very eyes,” she wrote on Instagram. She further claimed that the actions taken by the IDF constituted “WAR CRIMES.”

These statements followed another post she made on October 8, just one day after Hamas terrorists killed at least 1,300 people in Israel and took around 200 hostages. In that post, she criticized the lack of understanding of colonization and the justification of oppressive systems.

“Damn. I hate when Instagram shows me what I hope I never know about the people I follow and their horrifying belief systems,” she wrote.

Karefa-Johnson, who became the first Black woman to style a Vogue cover in 2021, eventually removed her job title from her Instagram account before resigning later that month. She expressed frustration with the environment at Vogue, stating, “Working in a place where this kind of vitriolic white supremacy goes unchecked is untenable.”

In September 2025, she further elaborated on her decision, writing, “Survival in these spaces is a violent and deeply damaging exercise and I wasn’t willing to pay the price any longer.” Her career has also included notable moments, such as a public dispute with Kanye West over his “White Lives Matter” T-shirt.

New York City’s first couple reportedly began working with Karefa-Johnson after previously collaborating with stylist Bailey Moon for their election-day attire. Moon has worked with high-profile clients, including the Bidens, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Pamela Anderson.