Carving an extraordinary path for herself, 25-year-old Bhavitha Mandava went from being an architect to a breakout fashion star. Her walk down the runway has now ended up scripting history for India as a whole on the global stage. The Hyderabad-born talent’s journey is a big surprise on all fronts. It’s not just her career-switching move that is a big shocker alone, her discovery is equally a story for the books.
From being scouted in a New York City subway to opening a Chanel show in a subway, Bhavitha Mandava has come full circle.
Why Bhavitha Mandava became the talk of the Internet?
Commuter style name was elevated to new levels of glam thanks to Chanel designer Matthieu Blazy’s Métiers d’Art 2026 show, which was staged at an unexpected location, the decommissioned Bowery subway station. And the model to open the set in a serendipitous plot twist was none other than Hyderabad’s Bhavitha Mandava, who ultimately became the first Indian to achieve such a feat. The collection was unveiled at the abandoned New York spot on December 2, 8 pm, NYC time.
Consequently, Mandava shared a video of her achievement on social media, which caught a heartfelt glimpse of her parents watching her own her big fashion moment. “Can’t put into words how much this means to me. Thank you @chanelofficial @matthieu_blazy,” she captioned the post on Instagram.
Her “brown parents’ reaction” to her Chanel show milestone struck a heartwarming note with the world. Even Bollywood icons like Aditi Rao Hydari and Pooja Hegde couldn’t hold themselves back from cheering on Bhavitha in the comment section.
About present-day Chanel show icon and Indian model Bhavitha Mandava
If you glance over her LinkedIn profile, the thought of her traversing the fashion world won’t even cross your mind.
“I am a Product Designer based in New York City with a background in Architecture,” Bhavitha introduces herself in her bio on the professional platform. “Passionate about bridging human experiences with emerging technology and making pasta. Fueled by empathetic storytelling, fostering human connections, and leveraging technology for social good.”
According to her LinkedIn profile, she was last affiliated with NYU MakerSpace as a Communications Specialist. Although she got her Master of Science in Integrated Design & Media / Human Computer Interaction from New York University in the US, she completed her Bachelor of Architecture at India’s Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University.
As per a certification issued by Council of Architecture – India in August 2022, she is already registered as a licensed architect under the Architects Act, 1972.
Her biggest career swerve was delivered when she was spotted on a New York subway platform merely two weeks before the Spring/Summer 2025 season. Having found her start in the fashion world thanks to a Bottega Veneta exclusive debut under creative director Matthieu Blazy. It’s her unexpected connection with the legend that she ultimately soared to unimaginable heights down the line.
She then went on to do a campaign with the fashion world icon, whose eventual Chanel switch brings her along for the ride to the rival brand. Having already walked for Blazy’s debut Chanel collection show (Spring 2026), Bhavitha poetically came back with a bang to open his second Chanel collection at a New York City subway station.
In October, Mandava recollected a major milestone in her life. Taking to her Instagram, she wrote, “Exactly a year ago, I started modeling, and @matthieu_blazy was the first person I ever worked with. From my first runway to my first campaign, you made a life I never could have dreamed possible. I’m so honored to be following you to @chanelofficial.”
Earlier this year, she shared a glimpse of the Bottega Veneta campaign she did participated in for Blazy. “I still remember attending my online class at midnight due to the time zone difference, then showing up at the Bottega Veneta office the next day, running on little sleep,” Bhavitha captioned the post.
“That was the day I met one of the most incredible people, @matthieu_blazy. From that moment on, the opportunities he has given me have been nothing short of a dream. I’m beyond grateful, thank you for everything, Mr Blazy.”
Bhavitha’s grit proves how to achieve multitasking with golden stars. The same essence of the ‘best of both worlds’ kind of life is captured in her Instagram posts as well, wherein she is always in the middle of countless things, be it “publishing research papers, walking fashion shows, (or) living that transatlantic life.”
Her journey, that too at just 25, also stands testament to how life doesn’t always follow sound reason, going in a direction you possibly never once envisioned for yourself.