The biggest fashion statement at Monday’s Met Gala wasn’t any of the flamboyant outfits worn by celebrities, but a smartly tailored black blazer sporting a giant union logo.
The jacket — featuring the logo of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) emblazoned on the back — was worn by Rosa Lander, the daughter of New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, who is also a Democratic candidate for mayor.
The University of Chicago student accompanied her dad who, as an ex-officio member of the museum’s board (along with opponents Eric Adams and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams), gets free tickets to the star-studded fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Anna Wintour Costume Center.
But one political analyst accused Lander of using the Met Gala to bolster his campaign and court much-needed union backing from the New York City Central Labor Council AFL-CIO, which represents more than a million workers including teachers, construction workers, truck drivers and hospitality workers.
“Lander’s campaign is flagging, so of course he is absolutely courting anyone to endorse him at this point,” said strategist Hank Sheinkopf. “At this point he’ll take anybody he can get to endorse him.”
He added that state assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a socialist candidate for mayor, is taking far left-wing support away from Lander’s campaign. Last month, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees — the union representing 170,000 theatrical and stage workers — backed Mamdani.
In 2021, the New York City branch of the AFL-CIO endorsed Lander for city comptroller and Eric Adams for mayor. But the powerful union, known as the New York City Central Labor Council, has not yet endorsed a candidate for the June Democratic primary, a spokesperson said. (Adams is running as an Independent.)
On April 20, The Post reported that the Democratic primary for mayor was increasingly turning into a two-person race, with support growing for both ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mamdani, according to a poll by the Honan Strategy Group.
Lander remained a distant third.
“Come get ready with me to be the least famous person at the Met Gala,” said Rosa Lander in a TikTok video — ending with the “Lander for Mayor” logo — that also features her father explaining why they are attending the event.
The city allocates more than $30 million a year to the Met, including more than $11 million to cover utilities.
“Hey, my dad’s running for mayor,” said Rosa in a behind-the-scenes TikTok on her father’s account that showed the two of them entering the museum.
Rosa explained that her outfit honored union activist Floria Pinkney, a Brooklyn-born seamstress who was the first African-American woman to lead the International Ladies Garment Workers’ Union in the 1920s.
“Brad and his family have a deep commitment to workers rights,” said a spokeswoman for Lander’s campaign Tuesday. “Rosa was honored to work with Brooklyn-based designer Parron Allen to design a piece that represented the Met Gala’s theme and the contributions that black garment workers and designers have made to fashion.”
The theme of this year’s event and accompanying exhibit is “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
In recent years, politicians have used the heavily covered celebrity event, hosted by Vogue editor Anna Wintour, to publicize their positions.
In 2022, Mayor Adams modeled an anti-gun violence tuxedo jacket designed by Brooklyn-based artist Laolu Senbanjo.
A year earlier, New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wore a controversial white gown by Brother Vellies with “Tax the Rich” in red letters across her back, and with a matching slogan on her bag.
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