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Chanel makes NYU grad Bhavitha Mandava house ambassador
Mandava’s appointment marks the first time an Indian model has been named a house ambassador by Chanel.
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Malvika Choudhary - Sat, 07, Mar 2026
- 11:16 EST
- 7
Bhavitha Mandava / Instagram/Bhavitha Mandava
Leading luxury fashion house Chanel has announced Bhavitha Mandava as their House Ambassador, making her the first Indian model to be appointed to the role.
In an Instagram post confirming the development, Mandava said she felt a personal connection to the brand’s legacy and vision.
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“CHANEL has long stood as a symbol of the modern working woman in motion, a spirit I deeply resonate with and am proud to embody,” Mandava wrote.
“Matthieu’s vision for the house brings a genuine sense of joy, thoughtfully balanced with reverence for its legacy. I’m truly honored to be part of this new chapter at CHANEL and to join as an ambassador for a house that holds a special place in my heart,” she added.
Mandava, who was born and raised in Hyderabad, entered the fashion industry unexpectedly in 2024 after being discovered by a talent scout at a subway station in New York City while she was pursuing graduate studies.
At the time, she was completing a master of science in integrated design and media/human computer interaction at New York University. Her modeling career accelerated quickly after the discovery.
Mandava made her runway debut for Bottega Veneta and later appeared in shows and campaigns for major fashion houses including Christian Dior.
In December 2025, she made fashion history by becoming the first Indian model to open a runway show for Chanel during the brand’s Métiers d’Art 2026 presentation staged at the Bowery subway station in New York City.
Mandava has since gained international recognition, including appearing as a cover star for the March 2026 issue of British Vogue.
Fashion publication Vogue India noted that Mandava’s career path reflects a broader wave of Indian women gaining global visibility across creative fields. The publication highlighted figures including actor Supriya Ganesh and filmmaker Payal Kapadia as examples of Indians receiving international recognition.
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