Their “affordability” agenda got off on the wrong foot.
New York City’s first ladyRama Duwaji appeared to wear $630 “artisan” leather boots from a high-end designer to her Democratic socialist husband Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral swearing-in ceremony — a luxury look that flew in the face of the politician’s “everyman” image, eagle-eyed critics said Thursday.
Duwaji, a 28-year-old artist, gave more socialite than socialist on New Year’s Day as she apparently rocked one of the fashion house Miista’s pricey boot designs — one which is said to be crafted from “vegetable tan cow leather” and feature an “ultra-cushioned memory foam insole.”
Rama Duwaji wore the $630 boots to her socialist husband’s inauguration. APThe fashion firm charges $630 a pair for the so-called “Shelley Boots,” which feature a 6-centimeter (2.3-inch) heel and a lace-up back.
But her high-end fashion statement — which came as she stood next to Mamdami while he took the oath of office just after midnight — is out of touch, considering Hizzoner’s equity-for-all policies that include tax hikes on the rich along with his man-of-the-people air, critics said.
“Very tasteless,” one user said.
Duwaji wore the $630 boots to Mamdani’s swearing-in ceremony, eagle-eyed observers said. AP“They’re $600. But when he seizes the means of production, everyone will be able to afford them,” one critic proclaimed.
Another user wrote: “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. Let’s focus on what matters. This is bad optics, honestly.”
Duwaji, an animator and illustrator, also wore a black coat and skirt with gleaming earrings to the ceremony, where she held the centuries-old Quran on which Mamdani rested his hand.
The Post’s latest on NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration day celebration:
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani issues sweeping executive order that wipes out most EOs issued by Adams after indictment
- Mamdani defiantly vows to stick to socialist agenda in fiery inauguration speech
- Mamdani fans disappointed by disastrous ‘block party’ with no food, bathrooms
- ‘Tax the rich’ chant breaks out as Bernie Sanders swears in Mamdani
In November, as Mamdani gave his victory speech, Duwaji reportedly wore a dark denim square-neck top made by Palestinian-Jordanian designer Zeid Hijazi along with dangling earrings by the upscale New York City jewelry designer Eddie Borgo, who sells some pairs for more than $46,000 a pop.
Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as mayor early Thursday. Getty ImagesDuwaji on Thursday didn’t immediately return a request for comment from The Post.
The boots were on loan from the brand, according to Duwaji’s stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson.
A rep for Miista, which bills itself as “a close-knit group of artisans based in Spain & Portugal,” didn’t return a request for comment.
