Rama Duwaji turns bootleg Knicks merch into fashion statement at team's championship celebration
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: While thousands of fans packed the streets of Manhattan to celebrate the New York Knicks' historic NBA championship, New York City First Lady Rama Duwaji emerged as one of the parade's most talked-about figures after transforming street-vendor Knicks merchandise into a fashion statement.
Duwaji, 28, accompanied Mayor Zohran Mamdani to the team's championship festivities on Thursday, June 18, wearing an outfit crafted from multiple Knicks-themed T-shirts. The ensemble featured at least three "NBA Finals" shirts layered over a long black skirt, with additional shirts wrapped around her waist to create a DIY-inspired look.
Photos from the event quickly circulated online, drawing widespread attention and sparking debate among sports fans, fashion observers, and political commentators alike.
Street-vendor shirts become designer look
According to Vogue, the outfit was styled by designer Claire Sullivan, a finalist for the 2026 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. Sullivan described the look as an expression of the "DIY spirit of downtown New York."
The shirts used in the outfit were reportedly purchased from street vendors in the days following the Knicks' championship victory. Rather than wearing traditional team apparel, Duwaji's look repurposed the unofficial merchandise into a custom-made ensemble that blended sports fandom with high-fashion styling.
She paired the outfit with bright orange pom-pom earrings and Nike Rift split-toe sandals, a polarizing footwear choice often noted for its unconventional design.
The appearance stood out even amid the championship celebrations, where players, city officials, and celebrities gathered to honor the Knicks' title-winning season.
Mixed reactions online
As images from the parade spread across social media, reactions were sharply divided.
Supporters praised Duwaji for embracing New York's street culture and turning championship memorabilia into wearable art. Others questioned the look, criticizing its unconventional styling and comparing it to hastily assembled fan merchandise.
The attention placed Duwaji at the center of another fashion conversation, something that has become increasingly common since Mamdani took office.
Earlier this year, she faced scrutiny after wearing a pair of luxury designer boots to her husband's swearing-in ceremony. Critics argued the footwear conflicted with the mayor's everyman political image, while supporters defended her personal style choices.
Thursday's outfit represented a different approach, relying on inexpensive street-vendor merchandise rather than luxury fashion pieces.
Whether viewed as a creative expression or a fashion misfire, Duwaji's championship-day look succeeded in capturing attention during one of New York City's biggest celebrations. As the Knicks' title parade dominated headlines, the first lady's reimagining of bootleg team merchandise ensured that fashion remained part of the conversation alongside basketball.
