Rama Duwaji brought a distinctly downtown approach to the New York Knicks’ championship celebration, stepping out in a custom upcycled dress created by cult New York designer Miss Claire Sullivan during the team’s historic parade through Lower Manhattan.
As New Yorkers gathered along the Canyon of Heroes to celebrate the franchise’s first NBA title in 53 years, the city’s first lady joined Mayor Zohran Mamdani for the festivities in a cascading dress made from repurposed Knicks T-shirts. Designed by 2026 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist Miss Claire Sullivan, the piece featured multiple fan-merchandise colors layered over a black skirt and paired with orange pom-pom earrings.
Sullivan’s connection to the city’s creative scene stretches back years. Before launching her namesake label, she helped shape the aesthetic of underground favorite Vaquera, which became known for its polished-punk sensibility.
Duwaji, meanwhile, has built a reputation for championing independent designers. Her recent wardrobe choices have included pieces from Diotima, Renaissance Renaissance, and even rented vintage garments, reflecting a broader commitment to conscious fashion.
The dress came together in the same spontaneous spirit that surrounded the Knicks’ title run. “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.”
The designer later explained that she began draping shirts on herself ahead of the decisive game, adding, “I love to make a look just for fun and see what happens. I feel like that’s when I do my best work.”
Upcycling has surged from a niche practice into a mainstream movement embraced by luxury labels and independent creatives alike. Consumers are increasingly drawn to one-of-a-kind pieces that reduce waste while offering something impossible to duplicate. Social media platforms have accelerated the trend, turning DIY culture into a global phenomenon.
For Sullivan, seeing one of her creations worn during one of New York’s biggest celebrations carried special significance. “I can’t express how much of an honor it is to dress the first lady of New York City,” she said. “I respect Rama so much. She’s an incredible artist with so much grace and dignity. I could not be more proud of our city and everyone representing it right now.”
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