Some journeys begin with a plan. Others begin without warning. Bhavitha Mandava’s started on an ordinary day in the New York subway, long before she imagined a career in fashion.
She was an NYU student, focused on classes and everyday routines, when a chance encounter underground changed everything. She was scouted on the spot. Two weeks later, she walked her first show as a Bottega Veneta exclusive under Matthieu Blazy. She appeared in his campaign, learned the rhythm of the industry from within his studio, and stepped into a world that had never been part of her ambitions but quickly became part of her direction.
When Blazy moved to Chanel, she continued to be part of his creative universe. She walked his debut Spring 2026 show at the Grand Palais in Paris, a stage that signals a defining point in any model’s career.
This season brought her story back to where it began.
In a setting that echoed her discovery, Bhavitha opened the Chanel Métiers d’Art 2026 show, staged inside a New York City train station. The choice of location made the moment feel unmistakably connected to her own origin: a commute turning into a turning point.
For any model, opening a Chanel show is a rare and significant honour. It reflects the designer’s trust and the clarity of their shared vision. For Bhavitha, it carried something deeper. It was a reminder that the places we pass through without intention can become the places that shape our future.
Her ascent is not defined by speed. It is defined by intention, ease, and a steady sense of presence. In this full-circle moment, she stands as more than a new face in fashion. She is a quiet example of how opportunity often arrives where you least expect it, and how one unexpected moment can redirect an entire path.
Inside the Chanel Métiers d’Art 2026 Collection: Notes From My Journal
