25-year-old Model Bhavitha Mandava Becomes Chanel’s First Indian Show Opener

Hyderabad-born model Bhavitha Mandava garnered worldwide attention after being spotted as the opener of Chanel’s Métiers d’Art show, held at a New York City subway platform. The 25-year-old holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture. After her graduation, she left for New York to pursue a master’s in interactive design and media at NYU. 

From being scouted at a New York City subway to opening for Chanel’s show in a subway, Bhavita’s life seems fictional. But that’s clearly her fate’s plan. She created history by becoming the first Indian model to open Chanel’s Métiers d’Art show. It is not only one of the greatest accomplishments for but also for other aspiring models. The runaway walk was an unexpected dream for Bhavitha and, indeed, an emotional moment for her parents. 

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From Subway to Runway: Who Is Bhavitha Mandava?

Bhavitha Mandava once caught the eye of a fellow passenger, Matthieu Blazy, the then-creative director at Bottega Veneta. He brought his muse with him. And life changed drastically for Bhavitha. She walked during his debut spring 2026 show, and the rest is history. She became the first model out onto the makeshift Métiers d’art runway, housed in a decommissioned Bowery J/Z subway station, last week.

Her clip from the Chanel show went viral overnight, captivating netizens. Additionally, the wholesome video of her parents reacting to her walk also became a sensation. From being a student to a model strutting the runway, Mandava now resides in the hearts of millions. It is not just a moment of pride for her parents, but also for Indian models to make their mark in the realm of runway shows.