Bhavitha Mandava (born February 3, 2000) is an Indian fashion model. She gained global recognition in 2025 after being the first Indian woman to open a show for Chanel at the Métiers d'Art show 2026.
Early life
Mandava was born into a Telugu family and was raised in Hyderabad, India.[1] She studied architecture at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in Hyderabad. After earning her bachelor's degree, she moved to New York City to pursue a Master of Science in Integrated Design & Media/Human Computer Interaction from the New York University.[2][3]
Career
Mandava began her career after she was scouted on a subway station platform in 2024 in New York City.[4][5] In January 2025, she was selected to walk as an exclusive model in the Bottega Veneta Spring/Summer 2025 show under designer Matthieu Blazy and campaign advertisement.[6][7][8] She also appeared in campaigns and runway shows for brands including Christian Dior and walked major fashion weeks, while completing her studies.[9][10] In December 2025, she made history as the first Indian model ever to open a Chanel runway show the prestigious Métiers d'Art 2026 collection.[11] The show was held on a subway platform at Manhattan's Bowery station.[12]
In February 2026, Mandava made her debut magazine cover for British Vogue for March 2026 Vogue Cover Star.[13][14][15] In March, she was named the House ambassador for Chanel, became the first ever Indian model to be the House ambassador for the Chanel brand.[16][17][18]
References
- ↑ The Story Behind History-Making Model Bhavitha Mandava's Major Chanel Moment, Cristino, Veronica. British Vogue(8 December 2025). Retrieved 31 December 2025.
- ↑ 7 Things You Need To Know About Bhavitha Mandava, Chau, Matt. Vogue Hong Kong(17 December 2025). Retrieved 31 December 2025.
- ↑ Who Is Bhavitha Mandava? The Student-Turned-Model Who Opened Chanel, Napier, Caitlin. Marie Claire(8 December 2025). Retrieved 31 December 2025.
- ↑ Hyderabad's Bhavitha Mandava just made global fashion history by becoming first Indian to lead Chanel's opening walk in New York. The Times of India(8 December 2025). Retrieved 31 December 2025.
- ↑ Meet Bhavitha Mandava, the history-making, hobbymaxxing Chanel model. Dazed(10 December 2025). Retrieved 31 December 2025.
- ↑ Hyderabad's Bhavitha Mandava becomes first Indian model to open a Chanel show. Mid-day(8 December 2025). Retrieved 31 December 2025.
- ↑ Meet Bhavitha Mandava - the Chanel model breaking the internet, Leslau, Tania. HELLO!(6 December 2025). Retrieved 31 December 2025.
- ↑ Indian immigrant Bhavitha Mandava's Chanel debut becomes a viral celebration for desi community, Chowdhury, Shubhangi. The American Bazaar(11 December 2025). Retrieved 31 December 2025.
- ↑ Spotted on the subway to the Chanel runway: How Bhavitha Mandava became a fashion star. The Economic Times(19 December 2025). Retrieved 31 December 2025.
- ↑ Who Is Bhavitha Mandava? Meet the Indian Model Who Opened Chanel's Métiers d'Art Show, Lee, Matthew, Grace, Clarke. L'Officiel USA(5 December 2025). Retrieved 31 December 2025.
- ↑ Indian model Bhavitha Mandava leads Chanel's 2026 Manhattan runway, Pillai, Pooja. EasternEye(6 December 2025). Retrieved 31 December 2025.
- ↑ Bhavitha Mandava is first Indian model to open for Chanel show in New York, Deshpande, Vaishnavi. Exchange 4 Media(8 December 2025). Retrieved 31 December 2025.
- ↑ "Who Could Go Back To A 9 To 5?" Fledgling Super Bhavitha Mandava Is Living A Fashion Fairy Tale, Nnadi, Chioma. British Vogue(11 February 2026). Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- ↑ 'Cannot accept dusky skin tone': Chanel star Bhavitha Mandava on India's colorism, Chowdhury, Shubhangi. The American Bazaar(13 February 2026). Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- ↑ Bhavitha Mandava Is British Vogue's March 2026 Cover Star, Nnadi, Chioma. British Vogue(11 February 2026). Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- ↑ Chanel Names Bhavitha Mandava House Ambassador, Elibert, Mark. Complex(8 March 2026). Retrieved 28 March 2026.
- ↑ Bhavitha Mandava creates history, becomes the first Indian model to be named Chanel house ambassador, Agnihotri, Akanksha. Hindustan Times(7 March 2026). Retrieved 28 March 2026.
- ↑ Bhavitha Mandava Named Chanel's First Indian House Ambassador, Kallukaran, Gayathri. EasternEye(7 March 2026). Retrieved 28 March 2026.