How Rama Duwaji’s Boots Proved That ‘Ugly Shoes for Cool Girls’ Can Also Be Political

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was sworn in to his new role on Jan. 1 with his wife Rama Duwaji by his side — and somehow her shoes stole some of the spotlight.

The new first lady of New York City wore a style from the independent luxury label Miista, specifically the brand’s Shelley boots, for the momentous occasion held in the former city hall subway at midnight. Certain conservative people online took issue with Duwaji’s boots as a perceived contradiction to Mamdani’s self-proclaimed democratic-socialist identity, since the boots cost $630. Duwaji was styled for the occasion by Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, who clarified that everything she wore was borrowed or on loan.

The Shelley boot, handcrafted from Italian leather at the brand’s partner factory in Spain, is a sculptural style featuring an exaggerated, vegetable-tanned beak-shaped sole, a sharp toe and a thin sculpted 6mm heel; it also features lacing up the back.

Laura Villasenin, Miista’s founder and head of design, explained to FN that the shoes were “inspired by our love for the unconventional. We set out to create a boot that sits perfectly at the intersection of witchy, Gothic and weird art-girl — creating the kind of ‘ugly shoes for cool girls’ we’re proudly known for.”

The Shelley belongs to a larger family of styles, including the Charlene with belt buckles in the back, the Sherri mules with corsetry-inspired lacing and the Eliya boots featuring snake-effect leather and harness straps.

While Miista didn’t have figures to provide on how Duwaji’s Miista moment affected sales, the brand shared that it celebrates the exposure and has experienced consistent double-digit growth in the U.S. for the past two years, which the label celebrates as it’s entirely self-funded. Miista is also planning on a permanent retail expansion in Los Angeles.

As for why the Shelley is befitting of a first lady, Villasenin said, “Miista has always been about doing things differently — a woman-founded, independent brand built on craft, collaboration and challenging business-as-usual in fashion. That ethos aligns with a vision for New York that celebrates diversity, creativity, and independent voices who aren’t afraid to go left because it’s right. The Shelley boot reflects that spirit: thoughtful, expressive, and intentional in design and story.”

Villasenin continued, “But it’s also about why it matters. Supporting independent brands that put craft first — with transparent, traceable and short supply chains — is part of a larger commitment to accountable creation. Our investment in production and supply chain transparency isn’t just about better product; it’s about preserving artisanal skill, ensuring oversight of labor and materials, and reconnecting fashion with people and place. That’s the kind of values-driven leadership someone like Rama models — choosing quality, and community in a world that too often rewards the opposite.”