The man with Indian roots: Meet the stylish new mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani

Meet Zohran Mamdani, the man who’s proving that politics doesn’t have to be stiff, and neither does style. Born in Kampala, Uganda in 1991, Mamdani carries a cultural cocktail of roots that make his presence and his fashion, unforgettable.

With an Indian-Gujarati father and a Punjabi mother, both steeped in storytelling and intellect, his look feels like a conversation between continents. It’s New York with a heartbeat that hums of India and Africa.

Mamdani’s father, Mahmood Mamdani, traces his lineage to Gujarat, India, though he grew up in Uganda before becoming one of the most respected scholars of African history. His mother, the celebrated filmmaker Mira Nair, hails from Punjab and has a deep love for colour, cinema, and cultural expression, something Zohran seems to have inherited effortlessly.

You can see that influence in the way he dresses: subtle yet rich, modern yet rooted, confident yet quietly soulful.

Growing up between Kampala, Johannesburg, and eventually New York, Zohran was exposed to a medley of aesthetics, the earthy tones of Africa, the vibrancy of India, and the structured simplicity of Western fashion. His style today feels like all those worlds have come together and found perfect balance.

There’s an ease to the way Mamdani dresses. He doesn’t chase trends, he embodies them, on his own terms. You’ll often see him in open-collar shirts, tailored jackets with relaxed fits, and classic trousers that let him move freely. His colour palette leans neutral, think creams, soft greys, and blues but with the occasional pop of earthy tone that nods to his global heritage.He isn’t afraid to blur the line between traditional and contemporary either. A linen kurta under a sharp jacket? A ring that feels like an heirloom?

That’s his kind of statement - subtle, smart, and real. Nothing about his fashion feels performative.

It’s not curated for cameras, it’s just who he is, a man who knows that authenticity never goes out of style.

If you look closely, Mamdani’s accessories are where his quiet rebellion shows. A single ring, a vintage-style watch, or simple silver jewellery, everything has purpose, nothing screams for attention. His rings, especially, have become part of his signature - clean, slightly rugged, and full of character.

They remind you of someone who values history and craft, but isn’t stuck in it.

He wears his style the way he wears his politics: with clarity, confidence, and a touch of humility. Even when he’s in tailored suits, there’s an effortless ease, a shirt unbuttoned just enough, sleeves rolled, energy grounded.

What really sets Zohran apart is how relatable his style feels. He’s a politician who doesn’t dress to dominate a room; he dresses to connect.

You will spot him in sneakers with suits, in easy cotton shirts during community events, or in breathable fabrics that move with him. It’s functional, it’s human, and it mirrors his personality, someone who’s deeply rooted in reality, not the ivory tower of politics.There’s something symbolic in that, too. Just as he stands for inclusion and authenticity in his work, his wardrobe reflects those same values - a rejection of excess, a celebration of comfort and identity.

For many people of Indian origin living abroad, Mamdani’s fashion feels like a reflection of their own story, navigating identity across cultures while staying connected to home. He’s showing that you don’t have to choose between East and West; you can be both, beautifully.

His fashion doesn’t scream luxury, yet it radiates taste. It’s not about designer labels or red carpets, but about intention, the kind of quiet luxury that comes from knowing yourself.

He embodies the idea that personal style isn’t about what you wear, it’s about how you wear your values.

Zohran Mamdani’s fashion is not about polish or perfection, it’s about presence. It’s political without trying, cultural without being costume, and personal without being pretentious. Whether he’s walking through Harlem or addressing a crowd, his look communicates what words don’t need to: that true style, like true leadership, begins with authenticity.

His wardrobe tells a story of where he comes from - India, Africa, and now New York but more importantly, it tells you where he’s headed. In every sense, Zohran Mamdani isn’t just wearing clothes; he’s wearing identity, history, and purpose. And that, truly, is timeless fashion.