NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani declined an official invitation to the Met Gala 2026. Mamdani and his wife Rama Duwaji confirmed last month that they would not attend the annual fundraising event. The Met Gala 2026 took place on Monday, May 4, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The star-studded event was attended by the biggest celebrities from around the world.
NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani did this instead of attending Met Gala 2026
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that he wanted to spend the first Monday in May celebrating workers employed in the fashion industry. Met Gala is held on the first Monday of May each year. He told i-D, “The fashion industry is made possible by the thousands of workers behind the scenes—seamstresses, tailors, retail workers, delivery drivers—whose immense talent and dedication deserves to be celebrated.”
His office highlighted six professionals in the fashion industry, showcasing their respective stories and accomplishments. Mamdani shared a detailed carousel with six names in a spectacular portrait series by Kara McCurdy.
He penned on Instagram, “While the world’s eyes are on fashion’s biggest night, we’re turning ours to the garment, retail, and warehouse workers who keep the industry running.” Continuing further, he wrote, “From true love found on the picket line to a free tailoring school out of a Brooklyn basement—meet the New Yorkers who make it all possible.”
The names include tailor and union organizer Christopher Anderson; Macy’s employee and union organizer Earnestine Gay; and tailor Hafeez Raza. Other recipients include former Amazon delivery employees and Delivery Protection Act activists Latrice Johnson and Lamont Hopewell, and tailor Sonia Castrejón.
The post has garnered 59.5K likes, 4.5K reposts, 1.3K comments, and 8.1K shares, as of writing. The internet has lauded Mamdani’s sincere efforts in spotlighting artists who deserve to be heard and seen. One user commented, “This man is pure class—but also pure solidarity.” A second user wrote, “Love you so much for not going to the gala and for spotlighting these deserving industry workers!” Another user penned, “this is IT. this is CULTURE!!!!!!!”
Originally reported by Anwaya Mane on Mandatory.
