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NYC first lady Rama Duwaji’s high-fashion Knicks parade dress was made from bootleg merch

Designer Miss Claire Sullivan has also dressed Lady Gaga, Rosalía and Addison Rae.​Designer Miss Claire Sullivan has also dressed Lady Gaga, Rosalía and Addison Rae. 

Rama Duwaji took the Knicks championship parade stage in a custom Miss Claire Sullivan dress on Thursday. AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura

New York’s first lady came dressed for the Knicks.

Rama Duwaji took the stage at Thursday’s Knicks parade in a custom dress made from bootleg NBA Finals merch tees, courtesy of downtown designer Miss Claire Sullivan.

The one-shoulder design was stitched together from white, orange and blue T-shirts, which Sullivan tucked, stitched and tied to create an asymmetrical silhouette.

The first lady’s one-shoulder look was stitched together from bootleg NBA Finals merch tees. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Gold necklaces and fluffy orange puff ball earrings finished off the parade look. Getty Images
Duwaji is married to Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who was inaugurated as New York City’s mayor in January. Getty Images
The 28-year-old artist paired the piece with a black midi skirt and cleft-toe sneakers. REUTERS

Duwaji, 28, layered the piece over a black midi skirt and finished the look with layered gold necklaces, orange puff-ball earrings and black Nike Air Rift sneakers.

Sullivan, whose client list also includes Lady Gaga, Rosalía and Addison Rae, shared a version of the look on Instagram earlier this week, styled with a layered white tulle tutu in place of the black skirt.

“Knicks in five 🏀💙 LFG NYC,” the designer captioned her post.

Her famous fans co-signed: Addison Rae wrote, “R u kidding,” while Lisa Rinna chimed in with, “So good!!!!” Ella Emhoff, the former second daughter of the United States, added, “Holy S—TTTTT.”

“My entire family is from New York, but have all since moved away, and everyone was texting me about wanting Knicks shirts,” Sullivan told Vogue. “I wasn’t able to go to any of the street vendors myself, so my friends helped me source. When I saw how many colors there were, I was inspired to get one in every color and turn them into a dress.”

Sullivan shared a version of the design on Instagram earlier this week, captioning the post “Knicks in five 🏀💙 LFG NYC.” Instagram/missclairsullivan
The original version of the look paired the tees with a layered tutu. Instagram/missclairsullivan
Sullivan wore the original tutu version of the dress out on Saturday to celebrate the championship. Instagram/tourmaliiine

Sullivan wore the tutu version herself on Saturday to celebrate the Knicks’ 94-90 win over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5.

Thursday’s parade appearance was one of Duwaji’s most public fashion moments since her husband, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, was inaugurated in January.

The Houston-born artist and animator became the city’s first Gen Z and first Muslim first lady earlier this year, and has largely kept a low profile while continuing her work in illustration and ceramics.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, react during the New York Knicks' NBA championship parade.
Rama Duwaji took the Knicks championship parade stage in a custom Miss Claire Sullivan dress on Thursday. AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura
Rama Duwaji and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani smiling at the New York Knicks Championship parade.
The first lady’s one-shoulder look was stitched together from bootleg NBA Finals merch tees. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Rama Duwaji in an NBA Finals top, celebrating the New York Knicks winning the 2026 NBA Finals.
Gold necklaces and fluffy orange puff ball earrings finished off the parade look. Getty Images
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani waves to the crowd while Rama Duwaji smiles during the New York Knicks Championship parade.
Duwaji is married to Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who was inaugurated as New York City’s mayor in January. Getty Images
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and partner Rama Duwaji at New York City Hall.
The 28-year-old artist paired the piece with a black midi skirt and cleft-toe sneakers. REUTERS
Mannequin wearing a Knicks-themed parade fashion outfit.
Sullivan shared a version of the design on Instagram earlier this week, captioning the post “Knicks in five 🏀💙 LFG NYC.” Instagram/missclairsullivan
Mannequin wearing a white one-shoulder top with "NBA Finals New York Knicks" logo and a layered skirt with orange, blue, white, and black checkered fabric.
The original version of the look paired the tees with a layered tutu. Instagram/missclairsullivan
Two women posing on a street at night, with one wearing a New York Knicks-themed outfit.
Sullivan wore the original tutu version of the dress out on Saturday to celebrate the championship. Instagram/tourmaliiine

 

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