Bhavitha Mandava
Bhavitha Mandava | |
|---|---|
| Born | Bhavitha Mandava February 3, 2000 Hyderabad, India |
| Education | |
| Occupation | Model |
| Years active | 2024–present |
| Modeling information | |
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Hair color | Black |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Agency |
|
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.[1] 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.[2][3]
Career
Mandava had no interest modelling aspirations as she began her career unexpectedly in 2024 where she was scouted on a subway station platform in New York City.[4][5] 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.[6][7][8] She also appeared in campaigns and runway shows for brands including Christian Dior and walked major fashion weeks, while completing her studies.[9][10] 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.[11] The show was held on a subway platform at Manhattan's Bowery station.[12]
In February 2026, Mandava made her debut magazine cover for British Vogue for March 2026 Vogue Cover Star.[13][14][15]
References
- ^ Cristino, Veronica (2025-12-08). "The Story Behind History-Making Model Bhavitha Mandava's Major Chanel Moment". British Vogue. Retrieved 2025-12-31.
- ^ Chau, Matt (2025-12-17). "7 Things You Need To Know About Bhavitha Mandava". Vogue Hong Kong. Retrieved 2025-12-31.
- ^ Napier, Caitlin (2025-12-08). "Who Is Bhavitha Mandava? The Student-Turned-Model Who Opened Chanel". Marie Claire. Retrieved 2025-12-31.
- ^ "Hyderabad's Bhavitha Mandava just made global fashion history by becoming first Indian to lead Chanel's opening walk in New York". The Times of India. 2025-12-08. Retrieved 2025-12-31.
- ^ "Meet Bhavitha Mandava, the history-making, hobbymaxxing Chanel model". Dazed. 2025-12-10. Retrieved 2025-12-31.
- ^ "Hyderabad's Bhavitha Mandava becomes first Indian model to open a Chanel show". Mid-day. 2025-12-08. Retrieved 2025-12-31.
- ^ Leslau, Tania (2025-12-06). "Meet Bhavitha Mandava - the Chanel model breaking the internet". HELLO!. Retrieved 2025-12-31.
- ^ Chowdhury, Shubhangi (2025-12-11). "Indian immigrant Bhavitha Mandava's Chanel debut becomes a viral celebration for desi community". The American Bazaar. Retrieved 2025-12-31.
- ^ More, Durva (2025-12-19). "Spotted on the subway to the Chanel runway: How Bhavitha Mandava became a fashion star". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2025-12-31.
- ^ Lee, Matthew, Grace, Clarke (2025-12-05). "Who Is Bhavitha Mandava? Meet the Indian Model Who Opened Chanel's Métiers d'Art Show". L'Officiel USA. Retrieved 2025-12-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Pillai, Pooja (2025-12-06). "Indian model Bhavitha Mandava leads Chanel's 2026 Manhattan runway". EasternEye. Retrieved 2025-12-31.
- ^ Deshpande, Vaishnavi (2025-12-08). "Bhavitha Mandava is first Indian model to open for Chanel show in New York". Exchange 4 Media. Retrieved 2025-12-31.
- ^ Nnadi, Chioma (2026-02-11). ""Who Could Go Back To A 9 To 5?" Fledgling Super Bhavitha Mandava Is Living A Fashion Fairy Tale". British Vogue. Retrieved 2026-02-26.
- ^ Chowdhury, Shubhangi (2026-02-13). "'Cannot accept dusky skin tone': Chanel star Bhavitha Mandava on India's colorism". The American Bazaar. Retrieved 2026-02-26.
- ^ Nnadi, Chioma (2026-02-11). "Bhavitha Mandava Is British Vogue's March 2026 Cover Star". British Vogue. Retrieved 2026-02-26.