25-YO Indian model opens Chanel's Métiers d'Art 2026 collection; was scouted at New York City subway

Bhavitha Mandava had no plans of modelling. Her life's trajectory changed when she was spotted in a New York City subway. (Picture Credit: Instagram)

A 25-year-old Indian model, Bhavitha Mandava, is in spotlight, as she opened Chanel's Métiers d'Art 2026 collection in New York City. Mandava is an architect who was born and brought up in Hyderabad. She moved to the US to study assistive technology in New York City.

Fashion influencer Viren H Shah shared in a clip on Instagram that Mandava had no plans of becoming a model. She was busy studying and balancing other things in life. As destiny would have it, she was spotted in a New York City subway. Two weeks later, she made her debut as a Bottega Vanetta exclusive for Summer 2025 collection.

Shah also shared in his Instagram post that, “Now, in the most poetic full circle moment, Bhavitha opens Matthieu Blazy's second Chanel collection in New York City in the subway station where it all started.”

Take a look at the clip:

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A post shared by Viren H Shah (@fashunwithviren)

Founder of 28Models Showin Bishop had shared on the official website, "I knew from the start. She had that rare energy effortless, striking, and elegant in a way that couldn’t be taught."

About Chanel's Métiers d’art show...

The fashion show was held in an abandoned Bowery station in downtown Manhattan. From Kristen Stewart posing around the staircase of the subway to Jon Bon Jovi climbing down the stairs coolly, the fashion show was a hit.

Expressing her thoughts about the fashion show, Mandava wrote, "Can’t put into words how much this means to me. Thank you @chanelofficial @matthieu_blazy."

Lakshmi Menon from India too walked the ramp from Blazy and she wrote, "So much fun walking for @chanelofficial."

Mandava's parent's reaction:

Mandava share a clip on her Instagram showcasing her parents' reaction to her opening the Chanel show. She wrote, "Can’t put into words how much this means to me. Thank you @chanelofficial @matthieu_blazy.”

Take a look at the post:

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A post shared by Bhavitha Mandava (@bhavithamandava)