Bhavitha Mandava: The Indian Model Who Conquered Paris Fashion Week
In a remarkable turn of events that reads like a modern-day fairy tale, Bhavitha Mandava has emerged as one of the most talked-about faces in international fashion. The 25-year-old Indian model recently made history by becoming the first Indian model to open Chanel's prestigious Métiers d'Art show in December, marking a significant milestone for representation in the global fashion industry.
From Hyderabad Classrooms to New York Subways
Mandava's journey began far from the glittering runways of Paris. As an architecture student at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in Hyderabad, she pursued her academic dreams before moving to New York to complete a Master of Science in Integrated Design & Media/Human-Computer Interaction at New York University. Little did she know that her life was about to take an extraordinary turn while waiting for a subway train.
The Fateful Subway Encounter
Two years ago, while waiting at the Atlantic Avenue subway station in New York, Mandava experienced what she describes as "a stroke of luck." A scout from 28Models approached her just two weeks before the Bottega Veneta Spring/Summer 2025 show. Initially hesitant, Mandava's perspective changed when the scout mentioned how modeling could help her pay off her substantial student debt.
This practical consideration became the catalyst for her modeling career. Her photos were sent to casting director Anita Bitton, whom Mandava describes as "a woman who has opened doors for so many people of color in fashion." Bitton forwarded the images to Matthieu Blazy, then creative director at Bottega Veneta, who cast Mandava immediately.
A Meteoric Rise in Fashion
Mandava made her runway debut in September 2024 for Bottega Veneta, wearing a white oversized short-sleeved shirt, pleated skirt, snake-print heels, and a yellow bag. When Blazy was appointed as Chanel's new artistic director, Mandava followed him to the iconic French fashion house.
Her career trajectory accelerated rapidly. She walked in Blazy's debut Spring/Summer 2026 show for Chanel in a stunning black dress adorned with gold tassels and pink feathers at the hem. Then came the historic moment in December when she opened Chanel's Métiers d'Art show, confidently strutting in a beige quarter-zip, blue jeans, white heels, and a brown bag.
The Full Circle Moment
The Métiers d'Art show held special significance for Mandava, as it was set in an abandoned New York subway station - a poignant nod to where her modeling career began. This represented a powerful full-circle moment for the young model, connecting her humble beginnings with her current success on fashion's biggest stage.
Balancing Education and Runway Success
What makes Mandava's story particularly inspiring is how she managed to balance her academic commitments with her burgeoning modeling career. "After my debut, I worked a job in the mornings, attended classes in the evenings, did homework at night, and flew to Europe every weekend to model," she revealed in an Instagram post.
She expressed profound gratitude to everyone who supported her journey, from classmates and coworkers to professors, casting directors, creatives, and her parents. "My parents never asked me to chase the extraordinary. They only wanted me to find happiness and peace in simplicity. Somehow, the extraordinary found me," she wrote, capturing the serendipitous nature of her success.
A New Era for Indian Representation
Mandava's achievements represent more than personal success; they signal growing diversity and representation in the international fashion industry. As the first Indian model to open a Chanel Métiers d'Art show, she has broken barriers and opened doors for future generations of Indian talent.
Her story demonstrates how talent, opportunity, and perseverance can intersect in unexpected ways, transforming a student struggling with debt into a fashion icon walking for one of the world's most prestigious fashion houses.
