Rama Duwaji Pays Tribute to Palestine in First Public Appearance as the First Lady of NYC

In a striking first public appearance since the election of Zohran Mamdani as mayor-elect of New York City, his wife Rama Duwaji stepped into the spotlight not simply as the city’s incoming First Lady, but as an artist and cultural figure making a deliberate tribute to Palestine.

Her sartorial choice and public presence during the celebration at the Brooklyn Paramount Theatre captured attention for its symbolic layering and context. 

Duwaji, a Syrian-American artist known for her evocative illustrations and visual essays, selected an ensemble designed to convey solidarity. Her top, by Palestinian-Jordanian designer Zeid Hijazi, featured laser-etched denim with traditional tatreez embroidery—deliberately nodding to Palestinian heritage and resistance. She paired it with a velvet-lace skirt from New York label Ulla Johnson, completing a look that melded political statement with high fashion. 

This appearance marked more than elegance—it represented Duwaji’s transition from behind-the-scenes art maker into a visible public role steeped in meaning. Her design choice, informed by her long-time engagement with Middle Eastern visual identity and feminist narratives, communicated a clear message: she will use the platform of her new role to amplify voices and cause, not just conform to traditional ceremonial expectations.

Observers note that the decision to wear a Palestinian designer at this pivotal moment carries multiple layers of significance. It illuminates the couple’s alignment with progressive values, acknowledges the global Palestinian struggle, and underscores Duwaji’s assertion that activism and representation will inform her presence—not just as First Lady-designate but as a creative force in her own right.