A chance encounter on a New York subway platform changed the course of Bhavitha Mandava’s life. At the time, she was a student with no professional modelling experience. Today, the Hyderabad-born model has walked for some of the biggest names in international fashion, opened a Chanel runway show and become a Chanel House Ambassador. Now, she has another achievement to add to her growing list: being named one of the 25 global winners of Instagram’s Rings Award 2026.The 26-year-old model has attracted attention not only for her runway appearances but also for the unusual path that brought her into the fashion industry. Her journey began far from fashion studios and modelling agencies, with an encounter that eventually introduced her to the world of luxury fashion.
A subway encounter that changed everything
Born into a Telugu family in Andhra Pradesh and raised in Hyderabad, Bhavitha did not initially set out to become a model. She studied architecture at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University before moving to New York to pursue a Master of Science in Integrated Design and Media, with a focus on human-computer interaction. Her life took an unexpected turn in September 2024 when Matthieu Blazy, who was then the creative director of Bottega Veneta, noticed her at a New York subway station. She was wearing jeans and a T-shirt and had no previous modelling experience.Recalling the experience in an interview with Coveteur, Bhavitha said she had been scouted at the subway station just a week before meeting Blazy. She also spoke about how quickly he believed in her potential. “I had been scouted in a subway station just a week before meeting him. I had no prior experience, but the moment I met Matthieu, he believed in me completely,” she told the publication. The opportunity soon turned into a professional debut. Bhavitha walked as an exclusive model for Bottega Veneta’s Spring/Summer 2025 show in Milan and also appeared in the brand’s campaign. What began as an unexpected discovery had opened the door to an international modelling career.
From Bottega Veneta to making history at Chanel
Bhavitha’s association with Blazy continued to bring her into the spotlight. When he moved to Chanel, she went on to achieve another significant milestone in her career. In December 2025, she opened Chanel’s Métiers d’Art 2026 show, becoming the first Indian model to open a Chanel runway presentation. The achievement brought her wider recognition in the fashion industry and marked an important moment for Indian representation on an international luxury runway.The setting also added an interesting connection to her story. The Chanel show was presented in a New York subway station, bringing her journey full circle from the place where she had first been noticed. In March 2026, Bhavitha reached another milestone when she became the first Indian model to be named a Chanel House Ambassador. She has also appeared on the covers of international fashion publications, including British Vogue and Numéro France.Her background in architecture and design remains part of her identity. Rather than presenting only polished fashion images, she also shares glimpses of the creative process, backstage moments and the people behind the industry.
Why Instagram recognised Bhavitha Mandava
Instagram has named Bhavitha among the 25 winners of its Rings Award for 2026. The annual recognition programme was launched in October 2025 to celebrate creators who bring originality, creativity and a distinctive perspective to the platform. The award is not intended to be based simply on follower numbers. Instead, it recognises people whose work makes an impact through creative expression and their willingness to explore different ideas. Bhavitha has around 7.4 lakh followers on Instagram. In its announcement, Instagram highlighted how she moved from being a student in New York to becoming a recognised face in international fashion.The platform described her discovery by Blazy, her debut as a Bottega Veneta exclusive, her achievement at Chanel and her appointment as a House Ambassador. It also drew attention to the way she shares her experience of the fashion world, combining backstage glimpses with her design sensibility. Bhavitha is among the Indian names recognised in this year’s awards. Kerala-based freestyle footballer Muhammed Riswan has also been named a winner. Together, their inclusion reflects the range of creative work being recognised by the platform, from fashion and design to sport.
A marble ring and a new kind of Instagram recognition
The 25 winners will receive more than a digital announcement. Each will be presented with a physical ring featuring a four-leaf clover carved from Connemara marble, a distinctive green stone from Ireland. The winners will also receive special digital benefits on Instagram, including the option to customise the background colour of their profiles. These features give the recognition a visible presence on the platform.For Bhavitha, the award marks another chapter in a career that has taken an unexpected route. She moved from studying architecture in India to pursuing higher education in New York, where a chance encounter introduced her to modelling. Within a short period, she went on to work with Bottega Veneta, make history at Chanel and become a House Ambassador.Her latest recognition celebrates not just her presence on international runways but also the creative perspective she brings to the digital space. From a subway platform to one of the world’s most recognised fashion houses, Bhavitha’s journey shows how an unexpected opportunity can open doors to an entirely new career.
