As Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as the first Muslim Mayor of New York City on January 1st, his choice of attire transformed a standard political ceremony into a powerful statement of cultural heritage and ethical fashion. Eschewing traditional luxury brands, Mamdani wore a custom, gold-embroidered tie designed by an Indian in Delhi. The tie was crafted from Assam’s legendary Eri Silk, a fabric known globally as “Ahimsa” or non-violent silk.
The tie was designed by Kartik Kumra, the visionary behind the Delhi-based label Kartik Research. Since founding the brand in 2021, Kumra has gained international acclaim for his “anti-factory” philosophy, which seeks to re-center the human element in luxury fashion. By collaborating directly with artisans across India, Kumra transforms forgotten heritage crafts into contemporary menswear, ensuring that traditional techniques—like the hand-weaving of Eri silk—find a place on the world’s most influential stages.
Kumra’s approach goes beyond mere aesthetics; it is a rescue mission for craftsmanship. His label focuses on the “perfectly imperfect” nature of handmade textiles, a stark contrast to the mass-produced uniformity of modern fashion. By dressing Mayor Mamdani, Kumra has effectively positioned Indian artisanal labor as the new gold standard for ethical luxury, proving that sustainable “Ahimsa” silk can be as sophisticated as any traditional silk found in the boutiques of Paris or Milan.
The choice of Eri silk is particularly significant due to its unique “non-violent” production process. Unlike standard silk, where cocoons are boiled with the larvae inside, Eri silk allows the silkworm to complete its metamorphosis and emerge as a moth before the silk is harvested. This results in a fabric that is not only ethical but also exceptionally durable, hypoallergenic, and possessive of rare thermal properties—keeping the wearer warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
This sartorial choice bridges the distance between the skyscrapers of Manhattan and the weaving clusters of Northeast India. Following Eri silk’s 2024 Oeko-Tex certification and its recent use in the ceremonial attire for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Mamdani’s inauguration has provided a global platform for the “non-violent” textile. By wearing a fabric that gets softer with every use and honors the life of the silkworm, Mayor Mamdani has signaled a new era where political leadership and sustainable conscience go hand-in-hand.
