The Hyderabad-born model’s milestone moment at Chanel’s Métiers d’Art 2026 show moves the internet, as she shares her unlikely journey from graduate student to global runway star.

Bhavitha Mandava, a 25-year-old model from Hyderabad, has created history by becoming the first Indian to open a Chanel show. The landmark moment unfolded in New York City at the Métiers d’Art 2026 presentation by Matthieu Blazy, where Bhavitha descended the staircase of Bowery Station to lead the runway, a role traditionally reserved for some of the world’s most established supermodels.

What made the achievement even more memorable was the presence of her parents, whose proud reactions were captured in a video that quickly went viral. As Bhavitha walked onto the runway, her mother can be seen cheering and call

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