Rama Duwaji, the new first lady of New York, made a stylish debut on January 1, 2026, with her unique take on first lady fashion. Her outfits for the swearing-in ceremonies showcased her personal aesthetic and values, using pieces from vintage and independent designers. The fashion credits revealed that most of the garments were “on loan,” highlighting Duwaji’s commitment to sustainability and supporting small businesses.
Duwaji’s stylist, Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, played a key role in curating her looks for the ceremonies. For the intimate midnight event, Duwaji wore a vintage Balenciaga coat from Albright Fashion Library, gold earrings from New York Vintage, wide-leg shorts from The Frankie Shop, and lace-up boots from Miista. The public ceremony saw Duwaji in a custom reworked faux-fur trimmed coat from Renaissance Renaissance, designed by Cynthia Merhej, paired with coffee-brown boots and silver hoop earrings.
The choice to borrow and rent pieces rather than purchase them was a deliberate decision by Duwaji, symbolizing her support for sustainable fashion practices and independent businesses. Shannon Hoey, the founder of New York Vintage, highlighted the significance of Duwaji’s vintage earrings from the 1980s, noting that by renting them, she not only gave new life to an archival piece but also championed circular fashion and small businesses.
Duwaji’s fashion choices not only reflected her personal style but also conveyed a message of conscious consumption and support for the fashion industry. As the new first lady of New York, Duwaji is poised to make a statement through her sartorial choices, setting the tone for her tenure in the public eye.
