Bhavitha Mandava Makes History: First Indian Model to Open Chanel Show

• Bhavitha Mandava became the first Indian model to open Chanel’s Métiers d’Art 2026 show.
• The 25-year-old Hyderabad-born model's parents' emotional reaction to her runway debut went viral.
• Actresses Aditi Rao Hydari and Pooja Hegde publicly cheered for Mandava's achievement.
• Mandava, originally an architecture student, was scouted on a New York subway platform.
• The Chanel show was staged in a New York City subway station, where Mandava was first discovered.

Why It Matters: Bhavitha Mandava's Chanel debut is a major milestone for Indian models globally.