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When Zoharan Kwame Mamdani was sworn in as New York’s 112th mayor on New Year’s Eve, it wasn’t just a political milestone — it was a moment of quiet cultural pride. Known for his wit and Bollywood references, Mamdani has become a symbol of a new kind of South Asian representation on the global stage.
These are the politicians who once used Deewaar (1975) Dialogues were held to explain the policy Dhoom Machale In his victory speech, and made even NYC bow its head Gaddi Red Challenger. But as soon as she stepped into the office under the twinkling lights of Times Square, Mamdani decided to make another statement, one made of silk.
A tie that tells a story
For his swearing-in ceremony, Mamdani wore a dark brown herringbone tie made of Eri silk – a fabric native to northeastern India, especially the hills of Assam. The custom piece, featuring gold embroidery with four-petal floral motifs, was designed by Delhi-based luxury streetwear label Karthik Research.
The tie was a subtle nod to his Indian heritage. It linked ceremony and craft, threading the Assamese artisan tradition into the center of American politics.
Made in India, seen in New York
Kartik Research, founded by designer Kartik Kumra in 2021, has fast become a global name in menswear. By 2023, Karthik was a semi-finalist for the prestigious LVMH award, and his Paris Men’s Fashion Week debut – titled How to Make in India – cemented his label’s reputation for bringing Indian maximalism to international runways.
Since then, Karthik’s creations have been worn by Lewis Hamilton, Kendrick Lamar and BTS’s V, all of whom were attracted to his intricate block prints and embroideries. Mamdani’s decision to wear Kartik Research at a moment of civic importance felt less like a style choice and more like a statement – a merger of political vision and cultural pride.
style meets substance
For the opening ceremony, fashion editor and stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson created looks for both Mamdani and his wife, artist Rama Duwaji. Mamdani paired his Kartik Research tie with a black velvet suit and crisp white shirt, while Ram wore an archival asymmetrical Balenciaga coat with sharp lace-up shoes and statement gold jewellery.
At the public opening outside City Hall the next day, the couple reunited with Gabriella for another coordinated appearance. Mamdani opted for a burgundy silk tie, while Rama wore a brown funnel-neck coat by Palestinian-Lebanese designer Cynthia Merhej’s Renaissance Renaissance, with faux-fur trim and long lace-up boots.
For Mamdani and his wife, fashion has never been about pretense – it’s about identity. His choice to wear a tie made of Assamese Eri silk was more than aesthetic; It was an act of connection to his roots, a reminder that representation can reside in the smallest details.
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