Inauguration Fashion Sparks Controversy
Mayor Zoran Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaj, chose outfits for their inauguration designed by the polarizing stylist Gabriela Karefa-Johnson. Karefa-Johnson, a former contributing editor for Vogue, had resigned following a heated anti-Israel tirade.
In a post, Karefa-Johnson, 34, mentioned that Mamdani sported a “hand-woven silk” tie crafted by New Delhi designer Kartik Kumra, while Duwaj wore $630 leather boots that were borrowed from a brand called Mista, along with a rented vintage Balenciaga coat.
Karefa-Johnson praised their looks, calling them “honest” and “real,” noting that the first lady also donned earrings sourced from New York Vintage.
It’s noteworthy that Karefa-Johnson made history in 2021 as the first Black woman on the cover of Vogue, but her resignation in October 2023 came after a contentious situation with the magazine. She characterized the mayor’s ensemble as “quite simple,” saying he was wearing a Suit Supply suit and two identical pairs of boots, suggesting his focus wasn’t on fashion, but rather on his responsibilities.
She indicated that the tie symbolized traditional craftsmanship, pointing out its intricate details in weaving and embroidery.
The couple changed outfits for the inauguration outside City Hall, with Duwaj donning a full-length coat by Palestinian-Lebanese designer Cynthia Melhaj, as noted by her stylist.
Karefa-Johnson ignited backlash in October 2023 by accusing Israel of being an “apartheid state” and labeling the actions of the Israel Defense Forces as “genocide.” She expressed her disbelief that the world was passively witnessing such tragic events unfold.
Her remarks followed a rant after the devastating bombings in Gaza that occurred after the Hamas attacks in Israel. In a subsequent message, she referred to these actions as war crimes, criticizing the IDF as a “torture institution” backed by Israel’s regime.
Karefa-Johnson also expressed dismay over people’s ignorance towards the tactics of colonization, suggesting they were justifying a system of oppression.
After deleting her position from her Instagram bio, Karefa-Johnson later lamented how distressing it was to work in an environment where “virulent white supremacy” was tolerated. In a post, she described the emotional toll of navigating such spaces.
In 2022, she previously made headlines for engaging in a public dispute regarding Kanye West’s “White Lives Matter” T-shirt.
The first couple reportedly enlisted Karefa-Johnson’s services following their work with stylist Bailey Moon during the election day attire selection. Moon’s clientele includes prominent figures like the Bidens, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Pamela Anderson.
