Meet Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, who styled Zohran Mamdani’s wife Rama Duwaji for his inauguration

Jan 5 , 2026

Former Vogue contributing editor Gabriella Karefa-Johnson just styled Rama Duwaji for Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration as mayor of New York. Photo: @gabriellak_j/Instagram

The former fashion editor called out Kanye West’s ‘White Lives Matter’ tees, and resigned from Vogue publisher Condé Nast after criticising Israel’s bombing of Gaza

Just after midnight on New Year’s Day, Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as the first Muslim and first Asian-American mayor of New York. The ceremony was held in the decommissioned City Hall subway station, where Mamdani took his oath of office with his left hand on two Korans.

Zohran Mamdani places his hand on two Korans, held by his wife Rama Duwaji, as he is sworn in as mayor by New York Attorney General Letitia James, in the early hours of New Year’s Day. Photo: AFP

While Mamdani’s swearing in was a historic occasion, the internet was also buzzing over a separate topic: his wife Rama Duwaji’s boots. With Duwaji – a Syrian-American animator and illustrator – having recently garnered attention for her personal style and a viral cover of The Cut, netizens had been closely monitoring her outfit choices for the inauguration.

Rama Duwaji’s designer Miista boots caused a stir online, but her stylist, Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, clarified that they were rented. Photo: AP

Dressed by New York-based stylist and former Vogue contributing editor Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, Duwaji wore black tailored shorts with a vintage Balenciaga coat, and Miista lace-up leather boots that drew attention not just for their stylish profile, but also their US$630 price tag. Critics called it hypocritical of Duwaji to wear costly designer clothing, considering her husband’s political stance as a democratic socialist.

Karefa-Johnson was quick to clarify that Duwaji’s outfit, including her boots, had been rented. “This look is honest. Real. Regal in the punkest way,” Karefa-Johnson wrote about Duwaji’s ensemble.

Mamdani’s classic suit generated less buzz, but his tie was a noteworthy accessory, explained the stylist, being a handwoven silk piece with a jacquard motif from Assam, in northeastern India, created by 26-year-old New Delhi designer Kartik Kumra.

Gabriella Karefa-Johnson and Hailey Bieber at the Miss Baddie Supreme Awards last October. Photo: @gabriellak_j/Instagram

Duwaji has publicly opposed the genocide in Gaza, and has consistently worn pieces by Palestinian designers, so her choice of stylist seemed fitting. Karefa-Johnson resigned from Vogue publisher Condé Nast in late 2023 after facing heat for criticising Israel’s bombing of Gaza on her Instagram.

Here’s what to know about Karefa-Johnson.

Her model aunt sparked her interest in fashion

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