{"id":70776,"date":"2026-05-15T05:47:48","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T01:47:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/me\/?post_type=articles&p=70776"},"modified":"2026-05-15T05:50:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T01:50:18","slug":"rama-duwaji-reema-dahbour-gown-nyc-banquet","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/me\/articles\/rama-duwaji-reema-dahbour-gown-nyc-banquet\/","title":{"rendered":"Rama Duwaji Steps Out Wearing A Palestinian Designer To One Of NYC’s Most Influential Banquets"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Rama
Photo: Supplied<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In a quietly powerful moment this week, artist and activist Rama Duwaji<\/a> stepped out wearing a design by Palestinian label Reema Dahbour to the IMEU Banquet in New York City.<\/p>\n

The look, which was an intricately embroidered olive-gold gown rich with traditional detailing, was a celebration of Palestinian craftsmanship.<\/p>\n

Shared by the designer on Instagram, the post described the evening as \u201ca gathering that plays a meaningful and important role in fostering awareness, dialogue, and community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Held by the Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU), the banquet brought together voices across advocacy, media, culture and politics. Rather than opting for traditional Western eveningwear, she chose a piece deeply rooted in Palestinian identity, textile heritage and artisanal storytelling.<\/p>\n

The gown itself reflected Reema Dahbour\u2019s signature approach: contemporary silhouettes infused with historic embroidery motifs and regional craftsmanship.<\/p>\n

<\/blockquote>\n

Since her husband, Zohran Mamdani, was sworn in as the Mayor of New York City earlier this year, Duwaji has used her newfound profile to support a slew of Middle Eastern designers.<\/p>\n

Case in point: on her first day as the First Lady of New York City, the Syrian-American artist opted to wear a look by Palestinian-Lebanese designer Cynthia Merhej<\/a> of Renaissance, Renaissance.<\/p>\n

\"Rama
Photo: Supplied<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The coat was a custom piece for Rama and was designed in Beirut. Per Cynthia herself, the coat was made from faux fur and wool, based on a design from her FW23 collection.<\/p>\n

At the time, the 28-year-old\u2019s stylist, Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, her fashion choice \u201csends a message\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn her first official day as first lady of New York, Rama is wearing a small, independent woman designer from the Middle East,\u201d the stylist wrote of Rama\u2019s inaugural day as NYC\u2019s First Lady. \u201cThat representation resonates. It reverberates. Because fashion communicates. It sends a message.\u201d<\/p>\n

And it appears that’s still the aim \u2013 and we’re totally here for it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42685,"featured_media":70777,"template":"","format":"standard","categories":[65,35],"yoast_head":"\nRama Duwaji Wore This Palestinian Designer To An NYC Banquet<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Rama Duwaji stepped out wearing a design by Palestinian label Reema Dahbour to the IMEU Banquet in New York City.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/me\/articles\/rama-duwaji-reema-dahbour-gown-nyc-banquet\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Rama Duwaji Steps Out Wearing A Palestinian Designer To One Of NYC's Most Influential Banquets\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Rama Duwaji stepped out wearing a design by Palestinian label Reema Dahbour to the IMEU Banquet in New York City.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/me\/articles\/rama-duwaji-reema-dahbour-gown-nyc-banquet\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Grazia Middle East\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-05-15T01:50:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/me\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2026\/05\/Rama-Duwaji-Reema-Dahbour.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"720\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"2 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" 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