Model Bhavitha Mandava made a powerful impression at Chanel’s Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2026 show in Paris, where she walked in a look designed by Matthieu Blazy for his first couture collection for the house.
Dressed in all white, heavily textured jacket and ankle-length skirt with a matching radiant halo headpiece, her appearance captured the mood of the moment: poised, modern and grounded in craft.
On the runway, Bhavitha embodied Blazy’s vision of a new Chanel — one that balances precision tailoring with softness and movement. Her confident, understated presence allowed the artistry of the garment to shine, reinforcing couture’s emphasis on silhouette, detail and emotion.
For Bhavitha, the show marked another significant step on an increasingly global fashion journey. The 25-year-old model from Hyderabad, entered into high fashion was entirely unexpectedly. Originally trained as an architect — with a bachelor’s degree from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University and later a master’s from New York University — her life changed when she was scouted on a New York City subway platform in 2024. Just two weeks later, she made her runway debut for Bottega Veneta’s Spring/Summer 2025 show with designer Matthieu Blazy.
That breakthrough led to further runway work with major fashion houses including Dior as well as campaigns and appearances across New York, Paris, Milan and London fashion weeks. In December 2025, she made history as the first Indian model to open Chanel’s Métiers d’Art 2026 show — a symbolic full-circle moment staged on a subway platform similar to where she was first spotted.
Indian models on the global runway
Indian models have steadily made their mark on international runways, representing the country at some of the world’s biggest fashion houses. Lakshmi Menon has walked for Hermès, Givenchy and Jean Paul Gaultier while Neelam Gill has been a regular at Burberry and Chanel. Pooja Mor gained global recognition with brands like Louis Vuitton and Prada, and Bhumika Arora has walked for Dior and Fendi. these models reflect the growing presence and influence of Indian talent on the international fashion stage.
