Home / Arts and Entertainment / Subway Scout to Chanel Star: Bhavitha's Rise
Subway Scout to Chanel Star: Bhavitha's Rise
8 Nov
Summary
- Model Bhavitha Mandava credits Chanel's creative director as her life's hero.
- A chance subway encounter led to her modeling career debut in Milan.
- She made history opening Chanel's first New York Métiers d'Art show.
Indian model Bhavitha Mandava recognized Matthieu Blazy, Chanel's creative director, as the 'hero of her life' at the 2026 Innovator Awards in New York City. Blazy received the Fashion Innovator award at the event, hosted by The Wall Street Journal Magazine.
Mandava's own ascent into modeling began unexpectedly in September 2024 when a scout approached her on the New York subway. This chance meeting led to her professional debut, exclusively opening Bottega Veneta's Spring/Summer 2025 runway show in Milan under Blazy's direction.
Her career surged further when Blazy moved to Chanel. In December 2025, Mandava made history by opening Chanel's Métiers d'Art 2026 showcase in New York, the first Indian model to do so, significantly boosting South Asian representation.
Now a Chanel house ambassador, Mandava's presence at the awards highlighted the profound impact of Blazy's early belief in her talent, transforming her life from a student's journey to a global fashion force.
