Bhavitha Mandava Becomes First Indian Solo Cover Star on British Vogue

Bhavitha Mandava, the groundbreaking Indian model who etched her name in fashion history as the first Indian woman to open a Chanel show, has now achieved another monumental milestone: gracing the cover of British Vogue’s March 2026 issue.

At 26, the Hyderabad-born, NYU-educated architect-turned-supermodel radiates joy and optimism in her debut cover shoot, photographed by Oliver Hadlee Pearch and styled by Julia Sarr-Jamois. Captured in vibrant looks, including a standout fringed jacket and silk-knit skirt from Chanel, her infectious smile embodies the season’s call for unbridled creativity and positivity in a changing world.

Mandava’s rapid ascent began less than two years ago when she was scouted on a New York City subway platform in Brooklyn. With no prior knowledge of high fashion, she admits to showing up at early castings in jeans and free NYU T-shirts, and she quickly adapted. Her breakthrough came under Matthieu Blazy, then at Bottega Veneta, who later brought her to Chanel as its new creative director.

In December 2025, Mandava made history by opening Chanel’s Métiers d’Art 2026 collection, staged in a decommissioned Bowery subway station in Manhattan. This was a full-circle nod to her discovery spot. Dressed in a beige quarter-zip jumper, jeans, and white heels, she strutted with confidence, becoming the first Indian model to lead a Chanel runway.

The moment went viral, amplified by a heartwarming video of her parents’ emotional reaction while watching the livestream from home in Hyderabad. Her mother squealed and clapped with pride, while her father beamed quietly, capturing a tender family celebration that touched millions. Mandava later reflected on Instagram about the experience, sharing how Chanel fulfilled her parents’ dream of seeing her as a bride in a deeper sense.

Building on that triumph, Mandava closed Matthieu Blazy’s debut Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2026 show for Chanel in Paris in January 2026, honored as the Chanel bride, the most prestigious role in couture.

She described feeling every flutter of a shy, joyful bride stepping into womanhood, even joking about her lack of “rizz” for a real groom. The walk, steeped in Chanel’s legendary craftsmanship, including artisans winding strands of their own hair into bridal threads for good luck, solidified her as a house favorite.

Now, her British Vogue cover cements this fairy-tale rise. In the accompanying interview, Mandava opens up about her unexpected journey from aspiring tech professional, pursuing a master’s in interactive design and media at NYU, to global fashion icon.

The supermodel admits life has taken “weird turns” and plot twists, questioning how anyone could return to a nine-to-five after such glamour, world travel, and creative freedom. “Who could go back to a 9 to 5?” she quips, encapsulating the transformative allure of modeling.

Beyond personal success, Mandava’s visibility sparks meaningful cultural conversations. As a brown-skinned South Asian woman, she addresses deep-rooted colorism in India and Western beauty standards that have excluded certain features and skin tones. Her inbox overflows with messages from the diaspora: mothers showing her photos to daughters to help them embrace their natural complexions, making her achievements feel like “a personal win” for many. “It makes these little brown girls feel better about their skin tone,” she shares, highlighting a rewarding shift toward inclusive representation.

Fashion insiders praise her as emblematic of a broader industry evolution, with fresh faces brimming with personality, joy, and global resonance under leaders like Blazy. Casting director Anita Bitton notes the trust required to redefine beauty norms, with Mandava at the forefront.

Recently turning 26, Mandava reflected on Instagram about aging in an industry that often equates youth with worth. Watching peers like Stephanie Cavalli inspired her to embrace change as life’s story, seeing lines as marks of lived joy, not flaws. Shoutouts to fellow Chanel models underscore a supportive community redefining “prime.”

From subway scout to Chanel muse and Vogue cover star, Bhavitha Mandava’s journey inspires with authenticity, resilience, and unapologetic joy. As she continues to reshape beauty standards and open doors for South Asian talent, her story proves that profound change can start with a single, confident step, whether on a runway or a subway platform.

Photo: Instagram/britishvogue