Who Is Bhavitha Mandava, first Indian model to open for Chanel?

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Hyderabad-born Bhavitha Mandava created history in the global fashion world. At just 25, she became the first Indian model to open Chanel’s Métiers d’Art 2026 show, instantly turning heads across the fashion industry and setting a new benchmark for Indian representation on international runways.

Bhavitha’s path to the runway is anything but typical. She originally studied architecture in India, later moving to New York to pursue a Master’s in assistive technology at NYU. Modelling was not a part of the plan. That changed in the most cinematic way possible when she was scouted on a New York subway platform just two weeks before the Spring/Summer 2025 season.

Her debut came as an exclusive for Bottega Veneta, where creative director Matthieu Blazy took notice of her striking presence. His continued support helped catapult her into the global spotlight — and soon Chanel followed.

Chanel’s Métiers d’Art 2026 show was staged inside a New York City subway station, the same kind of place where Bhavitha had first been discovered.