It’s not every first lady who can inspire a viral beauty trend, let alone convince Gen Z to chop their hair.
But that’s exactly the effect 28-year-old Rama Duwaji had in the week since her husband Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as the 112th mayor of New York City, marking the city’s first Muslim and Asian American mayor, and the first to hail from Queens.
Duwaji, having already caused quite a stir in $630 Miista boots at the midnight ceremony, spawned an internet frenzy over her ultra-short hairdo, a style now dubbed the “Rama.”
Rama Duwaji, 28, looks at her husband Zohran Mamdani’s official inauguration.
According to celebrity stylist Antonio Velotta, who’s worked with Hilary Clinton and Kamala Harris, the “Rama” is “a modern precision bob” — a pithy “bixie,” if you will. “The shape is tailored with soft graduation, so it frames the face without heavy layers throughout the crown,” he continued.
Marcos Diaz, artist to Poppy Delevingne and Sierra Miller, said the fringe is key; it’s what separates the style from the French bobs and hybrid pixies. “It’s broken and slightly irregular, which gives the haircut its lived-in, modern feel. The perimeter is intentionally soft, avoiding bluntness, so the shape feels organic rather than rigid,” Diaz explained. “The cut sits close to the head with subtle internal texturizing to keep it light without removing structure.”
Zohran Mamdani shares a moment with Rama Duwaji as he is sworn in.
While Duwaji typically adds texture by weaving soft waves behind her side bangs, Velotta said the cut is “versatile,” with a myriad ways to style it. However, Diaz warned against “overstyling” the baby bixie. “Overstyling would take away what makes it special,” he said.
“The beauty of this haircut is that it doesn’t require daily styling,” he continued. “It actually looks better when it’s a little undone. Letting the hair dry naturally and embracing its texture is what keeps it feeling modern and wearable.”
The tedious part is the upkeep. Both Diaz and Velotta agreed this hairstyle requires a trim every six to eight weeks to maintain its uniform precision.
Rama Duwaji casting her vote at a polling station in Astoria, Queens, on Election Day.
Why Gen Z is infatuated with the “Rama” is likely because it’s far from the archetype hairdo for female spouses of political leaders, an overly polished, conservative and oft-formal aesthetic (picture Michelle Obama’s blunt bob or Jacqueline Kennedy’s bouffant blowout). Duwaji’s approach is contemporary in comparison; it nods to trends of the time and doesn’t conform to the beauty principles associated with her position.
Diaz added, “What sets this cut apart is its restraint and modernity. Rather than relying on length or overt styling, it embraces softness, texture and individuality. It feels more personal and editorial, reflecting a broader cultural shift toward authenticity and ease. This haircut signals confidence without rigidity and aligns with how contemporary public figures are redefining elegance in a quieter, more understated way.”
