In a landmark moment for Indian fashion, 25-year-old Bhavitha Mandava from Hyderabad has etched her name in history by opening the Chanel Metiers d'Art 2026 show. This achievement makes her the first Indian model ever to lead such an iconic runway for the French luxury house, capping a remarkable journey that began with a chance encounter in the New York City subway.
From Architecture Student to Fashion Scout
Bhavitha Mandava's roots are firmly in Hyderabad, India, where she was born and raised. Her academic path was initially focused on design and innovation. She earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University before moving to New York to pursue a master's in assistive technology and human-computer interaction at New York University.
While deeply immersed in her studies, fate intervened during her daily commute. She was scouted in a New York City subway station for the Bottega Veneta Spring/Summer 2025 show by designer Matthieu Blazy. This serendipitous moment was the unexpected launchpad for her modelling career.
The Historic Chanel Metiers d'Art Moment
The pinnacle of her rapid rise came when Matthieu Blazy, who had since become the creative director at Chanel, chose Bhavitha for a historic role. After walking in his debut Spring 2026 collection, she was selected to open his second Metiers d'Art show in December 2026.
The show was held at Bowery Station in New York City, a setting that poetically mirrored the subway where her journey began. Blazy personally told her it was a "full-circle moment." The outfit she wore—jeans and a sweater—was a direct callback to what she had on the day she was first scouted. "It felt crazy," Bhavitha recalled, "because it looked exactly like that moment when my journey started."
A Viral Family Celebration and Future Ahead
The emotional impact of the achievement resonated far beyond the runway. Bhavitha shared a video on December 3 capturing her parents' raw, joyful reactions. The clip, showing her mother tearfully repeating her name and her father beaming with pride, quickly went viral online.
In her caption, she expressed her gratitude, writing, "Can't put into words how much this means to me. Thank you @chanelofficial @matthieu_blazy." The video became a symbol of both professional triumph and personal fulfillment for her family.
Bhavitha Mandava's story is a powerful testament to how talent and opportunity can intersect in the most unexpected places. From the lecture halls of architecture to the global fashion stage, her path defies convention. As she continues her career, she stands at the forefront of a new wave of Indian models claiming historic space on the world's most prestigious runways.
