Bhavitha Mandava

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. 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.

Career Mandava began her career after she was scouted on a subway station platform in 2024 in New York City. 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. She also appeared in campaigns and runway shows for brands including Christian Dior and walked major fashion weeks, while completing her studies. 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. The show was held on a subway platform at Manhattan's Bowery station.

In February 2026, Mandava made her debut magazine cover for British Vogue for March 2026 Vogue Cover Star. 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. The same month, she also made her second magazine cover for I.D..

Public image Bhavitha made her debut for the Met Gala in May 2026, wearing Chanel "Haute Couture reinterpretation" of the look she wore to open Chanel’s Métiers d’Art show.