Here’s the latest I can share based on available sources.
Bhavitha Mandava has recently gained notable international attention as an Indian model from Hyderabad who opened Chanel’s Métiers d’Art show in New York, marking a historic moment for representation in fashion. Reports from late 2025 describe her as the first Indian model to open a Chanel show and note that she has since been highlighted in multiple outlets for her rapid rise, including coverage of her Chanel runway debut and subsequent fashion-week appearances. Several profiles summarize her background as an architect who was scouted in New York City, with growing media attention around her diverse career path and impact on representation in fashion. Coverage also mentions public reactions, including her parents’ emotional response to the moment and industry praise for championing inclusion, with casting director Anita Bitton named as an advocate for representation.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Context and timeline (highlights)
- Opened Chanel’s 2026 show in New York as part of the Metiers d’Art collection, a landmark moment for an Indian model on such a platform.[3][1]
- Media profiles in late 2025-early 2026 place her as an emerging face from Hyderabad with an architecture background, scouted in NYC, and rapidly rising in couture circles.[2][4]
- Coverage across outlets like NDTV, Mid-Day, and Moneycontrol highlights the broader impact of her milestone on representation in fashion.[4][5]
If you’d like, I can compile a concise timeline with exact dates and pull direct quotes from these articles, or summarize recent developments in a short digest.
Sources:
- Chanel opener and breakthrough coverage:,,[6][1][3]
- Background and profile details:,[2][4]
- Additional coverage and context:,,[5][4][6]