From Watching Bhavitha Walk Matthieu Blazy’s Debut
One model. One moment. A new era at Chanel.”
One model. One moment. A new era at Chanel.”
Photograph by David Bailey Chanel
Bhavitha Mandava Runway Moment for Chanel Spring/Summer 2026
I’ll never forget this day. Watching my model, Bhavitha Mandava, walk Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2026 show the first under Matthieu Blazy was one of the proudest moments of my career. The energy in the room, the lights, the emotion everything felt aligned.
It’s hard to believe that just over a year ago, I met Bhavitha by pure chance at Atlantic Station in Brooklyn. It was August 16, 2024. She was standing on the train platform, and something about her presence stopped me in my tracks. There was this calm confidence, this quiet strength about her. I introduced myself, and that one moment changed everything for her and for me.
A Journey That Feels Like a Movie When I first met Bhavitha, she was still a master’s student at NYU, studying assistive technology. Now, just a year later, she has graduated, earned her degree, and is living in Brooklyn full-time.
Born and raised in India, she carries her roots proudly, but she also moves through the world with a rare mix of intelligence and artistry that makes her unforgettable. To see her go from that Brooklyn subway station to the runway of Chanel’s debut under Matthieu Blazy it honestly gives me goosebumps even writing this.
That night at the Grand Palais felt like being part of history. Blazy transformed the space into a galaxy of glowing planets, with golden light washing over the audience. You could feel the anticipation in the air it wasn’t just another fashion show; it was a rebirth of Chanel. From the opening look to the final walk, everything was crafted with purpose and emotion. The clothes were alive modern but full of soul. There was a feeling of family in the room, of unity, and it reminded me so much of what I’ve always tried to build at 28MODELS. Then, in the middle of that magic, came the moment I’ll never forget.
When Bhavitha stepped out in Look 22, the entire room went silent. It was one of those moments where you could feel everyone holding their breath. Seeing her walk so poised, so graceful was beyond words. She looked like the definition of timeless beauty: elegant, strong, and completely herself. I got chills. Because that was the same girl I met on the subway platform. The same girl who used to go to class at NYU. And now, here she was, walking for Chanel. That’s when I realized: this is exactly why I do what I do to find that spark in someone, to believe in them, and to watch them rise.
A New Chapter for Chanel and for Her, Matthieu Blazy’s debut was everything the fashion world hoped it would be fresh, emotional, and free. But for me, it meant something deeper. It was a reminder that no matter where you come from or how your journey begins, your story can take you anywhere.
Bhavitha Mandava Walk Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel Spring/Summer 2026 Debut.
Bhavitha represents that spirit. She’s the new face of what modeling should, cultured, confident, and real. Watching her walk for Chanel wasn’t just a career milestone; it was a full-circle moment that tied together every reason I started 28MODELS. Sometimes, you meet someone, and everything changes. For me, that someone was Bhavitha Mandava.
Designer: Matthieu Blazy Hair Stylist: Duffy Makeup Artist: Lucia Pieroni Casting Directors: Anita Bitton, Aurelie Duclos, Lorenzo Rotondo