The political narrative surrounding New York City's new mayor was swiftly upstaged by a fashion statement in the early hours of Thursday morning. Zohran Mamdani, 34, officially became mayor just after midnight, taking the oath of office in a decommissioned Manhattan subway station. Yet, it was the footwear choice of his wife, First Lady Rama Duwaji, 28, that dominated subsequent conversation.
A Stylish Choice Under Scrutiny
As the couple stood on the station stairs for the historic moment, Duwaji, an artist, wore a chic ensemble of a black knee-length skirt and wool coat. The outfit was completed by a pair of mid-calf boots from European brand Miista, retailing at $630. The 'Shelley' style boots, available in black or dark brown, featured a distinctive lace-up back, pointed toe, and a small heel. The brand promotes sustainable fashion, stating on its website a commitment to sacrificing profit to subvert problematic trends.
Clashing with an 'Affordability Agenda'
The timing of the luxury purchase proved contentious. Mamdani's campaign was built on a platform pledging to make New York more affordable, with policies including free childcare, free buses, and a rent freeze for approximately one million households. This contrast was not lost on social media users, who quickly criticised the optics.
One scathing post on X (formerly Twitter) read: "Mamdani’s 'affordability agenda' is a scam. His wife parades in $600 Miista boots while he pushes rent freezes that’ll collapse housing stock." Another user commented on the couple's planned move to the official mayoral residence, Gracie Mansion, stating: "New Yorkers got fooled into putting this couple into a mansion with $600 boots thinking they care about affordability."
Some defenders argued the focus was misplaced. "It's kind of weird and off-base to be focusing on what designer items she's wearing when he's trying to promote policies of financial stability and equity for all," one person chimed in, though they conceded it was "bad optics."
A Historic Inauguration Overshadowed
The fashion controversy overshadowed a significant political milestone. Mamdani, a Democrat, is New York City's first Muslim mayor and its youngest since 1982. He was sworn in with his hand on a Quran, describing the moment as "the honor and the privilege of a lifetime."
This is not the first time Duwaji's style has drawn attention. On her husband's election night, she wore an all-black outfit featuring both Middle Eastern and New York designers. Recently, she graced the cover of The Cut, where she discussed her new role, insisting she did not want to be known as "the mayor’s plus-one" and planned to continue her artistic work.
The couple, who met on the dating app Hinge, married at New York City Hall in February 2024 and held wedding celebrations in Dubai and Uganda. They will now relocate from their rent-stabilised one-bedroom apartment in Astoria to the Gracie Mansion residence on the Upper East Side.
