First Lady of New York Rama Duvaji and the mayor Zoran Mamdani attracted attention during a celebration at City Hall hosted by the New York Knicks, with Duvaji's unusual outfit sparking online debate.
The event comes shortly after both figures have once again found themselves under intense public scrutiny, ranging from past fashion choices to newly-emerging social media posts.
Mayor Zoran Mamdani also took center stage at the celebration, delivering a lengthy speech and interacting with the players, further highlighting his close connection to the Knicks and New York culture.
Rama Duvaji's bold New York Knicks-inspired outfit has raised eyebrows.
A post shared by Miss Claire Sullivan (@missclairesullivan)
At the New York Knicks' City Hall celebration on Thursday, First Lady Rama Duvaji turned heads with her unexpected outfit.
The 28-year-old artist wore a layered ensemble consisting of several New York Knicks "NBA Finals" T-shirts layered over a long black skirt, with two of the shirts wrapped loosely around her waist.
The look was completed with bright orange pom-pom earrings and a pair of Nike Rifts split-toe sandals, which are often criticized for their unusual "cloven hoof" design with "chunky rubber soles.".
Her outfit was designed by Claire Sullivan, a 2026 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist, who described the look as inspired by "the DIY spirit of downtown New York." According to Sullivan, the T-shirts were purchased from street vendors shortly before the event.
Duvaji's appearance at the Knicks' victory celebration also drew comparisons to her husband's outfit, who wore a jersey under his jacket during the event.
The image of Rama Duvaji in a New York Knicks uniform has sparked mixed reactions on social media.
Rama serves the city! pic.twitter.com/yyiQU24CPR
— Eric Thor – Vote for DSA before June 23 (@ericedwardthor) June 18, 2026.
Duvaji's outfit sparked considerable controversy online, with many expressing support for the New York First Lady, while others felt the look left much to be desired.
One user commented on X: "She looked incredibly stunning with that unique style and how the colors went together perfectly. She looked gorgeous.".
Another wrote: "Oh my god, this is just a regular woman, faceless, like Mar-a-Lago. And she's Muslim. The horror of it all. Keep up the good work, Queen.".
«"She's so beautiful, she looks 22 haha," a third person remarked about Duvaji.
However, some netizens criticized the first lady's outfit, calling it "ridiculous" or "strange," while others condemned the fact that it was made from "fake" T-shirts.
Rama Duvaji's popularity in the public eye has been growing amidst intense scrutiny of her fashion style and past backlash on social media.
A post shared by RAMA DUWAJI (@ramaduwaji)
Duvaji, who played a behind-the-scenes role in developing her husband's campaign identity and digital strategy, has previously attracted attention for her fashion choices.
In January, she wore designer leather boots from Miista to her husband's swearing-in ceremony as mayor, drawing criticism from observers who felt it clashed with his populist image.
It's worth noting that Duvaji has also faced criticism in the past for social media posts she made several years ago that later resurfaced online. Earlier this year, she acknowledged the pain these posts caused her and expressed regret, though she stopped short of directly apologizing for their content.
The Houston-born artist and animator became New York City's first Gen Z First Lady and the city's first Muslim woman earlier this year. Since assuming the post, she has largely remained private, continuing to work on illustration and ceramics.
Zoran Mamdani stole the spotlight at the Knicks' victory celebration with his lengthy speech at City Hall.
Here's Mamdani's full speech at the Knicks parade, which is easily the best speech I've ever heard at such an event. pic.twitter.com/FiTxy81Yq3
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 18, 2026.
Meanwhile, her husband, Mayor Zoran Mamdani, took center stage during the Knicks' victory celebration Thursday at City Hall following the team's historic confetti-filled parade through Manhattan.
After participating in the festivities with the players on the parade float with Governor Kathy Hochul, Mamdani delivered a lengthy speech in the square in front of City Hall.
The mayor, a self-described lifelong Knicks fan, also appeared at the festivities, along with players like Karl-Anthony Towns and O.G. Anunoby.
He was seen carrying a bright orange purse belonging to Towns' fiancée, Jordyn Woods. In his speech, Mamdani praised the team's championship success as a symbol of the city itself, telling the crowd, "The Knicks didn't just win for New York, they won as New York.".
Mamdani continued to reflect on the city's resilience, speaking of ambition, hardship, and everyday challenges, linking the team's victory to New York's unique identity.
«"What is New York if not your desperate situation, a dream that seems unattainable, rent you don't know how to pay?" he said.
Mamdani's speech lasted just over eight minutes, making it the longest of the event and significantly longer than the other officials' speeches.
The New York mayor's fanaticism towards Arsenal and his global passion for football have gone viral.
It's worth noting that Mamdani has also attracted attention for his passion for football. Last month, he went viral after attending Eid al-Adha prayers in the Bronx wearing a custom-made jacket inspired by Arsenal's 2025-26 away kit, featuring a blue and red lightning bolt.
Born in Uganda and the city's first mayor, Mamdani, a Muslim and Asian-American, has been an Arsenal fan since childhood. His passion began at age 10, when he received fridge magnets featuring players like Thierry Henry, David Seaman, Sol Campbell, and Sylvain Wiltord.
Despite his prominent political role, Mamdani's enthusiasm for football remained a constant part of his public persona. He often celebrated Arsenal's successes with the same enthusiasm as fans in North London, often directly engaging with football culture on social media.
Beyond Arsenal, the mayor is known for his broader football interests. He has earned a reputation among fans for his in-depth knowledge of both historical players and lesser-known figures from the 1990s, which has contributed to his online popularity.
Mamdani is also among the foreign fans who became shareholders in Spanish club Real Oviedo after participating in a crowdfunding campaign launched in 2012 to save the club from financial collapse.
Read also: Zoran Mamdani challenges King Karl to return the royal jewel.