The bixie that made Rama Duwaji a style name

Rama Duwaji, wife of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, has unintentionally sparked a major beauty moment with her distinctive haircut, swiftly earning the title of “It girl.” Since Mamdani’s ceremonial swearing-in on January 1, photos of Duwaji’s cropped hairstyle have gained traction on social media, with users christening it the now-viral “Rama cut”.
The haircut — a hybrid between a bob and a pixie known as a “bixie” — has been described by fans as reminiscent of classic icons while remaining decidedly modern. Xavier Velasquez, who styled Duwaji’s hair for the big night, said Audrey Hepburn, Taylor Russell, and Kelsey Asbille were all “references”.
At just 28, Duwaji is New York City’s youngest first lady and the first from Generation Z — a distinction reflected in her pared-back, contemporary sense of style. Her look has struck a chord for feeling authentic, effortless and refreshingly non-political.

What is a bixie haircut?- According to Vogue, Duwaji’s hairstyle sits somewhere between a bob and a pixie — commonly referred to as a “bixie”. The ’90s-era cut is seeing renewed popularity for its customisable nature and ease of wear.
- “Rama cut her own fringe on the morning of Election Day,” Velasquez told Vogue about her look, which he describes as a pixie grown out into its own shape. Brooklyn-based stylist Lauren Sottile originally created the cut about a month earlier using a razor.

What fans are saying about the ‘Rama cut’
Social media reaction has been swift and enthusiastic. TikTok creator Sydney Robinson declared, “The new It-girl haircut just dropped,” likening it to the once-ubiquitous Rachel cut. Another creator, Elmira Vaidya, admitted she loved the look but joked she feared ending up looking more like Claire from Fleabag than Duwaji herself.
As Duwaji steps further into public life, her understated aesthetic — from her wardrobe to her freshly cut hair — continues to resonate with a generation drawn to individuality over polish.

Hair trends we still talk about

Jennifer Aniston – The Rachel cut
Jennifer Aniston’s layered “Rachel” haircut on Friends, inspired by shag and bob silhouettes, became the ’90s’ most requested salon look, shaping global ideas of volume, layers and everyday glamour, and proving TV hairstyles could drive mass beauty trends overnight.

Sadhana – The Sadhana cut
Inspired by Audrey Hepburn, Sadhana’s sharp front fringe in Love in Simla sparked a nationwide trend, making bangs fashionable and redefining modern femininity in Bollywood.

Salman Khan – Tere Naam hairstyle
Salman Khan’s long, centre-parted hairstyle in Tere Naam, inspired by APJ Abdul Kalam, triggered an early-2000s grooming craze, sending fans nationwide to salons chasing Bollywood’s most copied heartbreak look.

Kajol – The bob cut
Kajol’s short bob as Anjali in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, styled to reflect a sporty, tomboy persona, inspired young women to embrace practical, cropped hair over traditional long, glamorous styles.

Virat Kohli – Spiked hair with shaved lines
Influenced by global footballers and urban street style, Virat Kohli’s spiked haircut with shaved side lines introduced edgy grooming to Indian cricket, inspiring fans to adopt bolder, more expressive hairstyles.

Hardik Pandya – The mohawk moment
Hardik Pandya’s edgy mohawk with shaved sides became a standout grooming trend among young fans, signalling a fearless shift in Indian cricket style and inspiring salon requests for bold, statement-making haircuts.