The role of a First Lady is rarely limited to an official title. In reality, it is a public position that is constantly observed, especially when it comes to the United States – and even more so to a city as iconic as New York.
Historically, a First Lady’s style has always carried symbolic meaning. Fashion often reflects the spirit of the time and, at times, even a political direction. Melania Trump’s decision to wear American designers, for example, was not accidental but a clear sign of support for President Trump’s political agenda.
Today, attention is focused on the wife of New York’s newly elected mayor, whose style has quickly become one of the most discussed topics. Rama Duwaji, a 28-year-old American artist, was born in Texas to a family of Syrian immigrants. She spent part of her childhood in Dubai, and the influence of Eastern culture is clearly visible both in her creative work and personal style. Her artistic practice explores themes such as women’s rights, social justice, migration, and identity – values that are also reflected in the way she dresses.
Rama Duwaji’s wardrobe does not signal status or power. She does not use fashion as a tool of dominance, and in this sense, she moves away from the classic image of a “First Lady.” For her, fashion is a language of identity – and she speaks it with confidence and clarity.
This approach was especially visible on inauguration day. For both the oath ceremony and the public inauguration, Duwaji chose vintage pieces and looks by independent designers. Her stylist, Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, has noted that Rama hardly needs a stylist at all, as she naturally understands how to express herself through clothing.
For the first part of the inauguration, Duwaji wore a Balenciaga coat rented from the Albright Fashion Library. Not only the coat, but every element of the look – trousers, shoes, and accessories – was rented or borrowed. This choice was widely seen as a quiet yet powerful statement in support of sustainable fashion.
For the public ceremony, she appeared in a coat by Renaissance Renaissance. This was also a meaningful decision. The brand’s founder, Cynthia Merhej, is a Palestinian-Lebanese designer, and by wearing her work, Duwaji expressed solidarity both with women designers and with shared cultural roots.
Rama Duwaji’s style proves that fashion is more than aesthetics. It is a value-driven language – one that allows a person to express identity, beliefs, and a clear worldview without saying a single word.
