Why Chanel's full-circle styling for Bhavitha Mandava fell flat at Met Gala

Bhavitha Mandava made her Met Gala debut in a Chanel-styled jeans-and-top look. What was intended as a full-circle moment instead left many fans disappointed.

In Short

• Bhavitha Mandava attended the Met Gala in a pair of jeans.
• The look, despite being a meaningful full-circle moment, failed to make an impact.
• The outfit was underwhelming for the red carpet famous for extravagance.

A jeans and a top. That’s what Indian model Bhavitha Mandava wore to the Met Gala 2026. Indian fashion fans, of course, are not happy. But who is to be blamed?

Before we get there, here is a quick recap.

Bhavitha Mandava, an architect from Hyderabad now studying in New York, rose to fame after opening a Chanel show in December 2025 - becoming the first Indian model to do so. Having moved to New York City in 2024, she was discovered by a modelling agent at a subway station. Soon after, she walked for Bottega Veneta under designer Matthieu Blazy. When Blazy later joined Chanel, he brought Mandava on board to open the show – in a jeans and a beige sweater, a recreation of the outfit she was wearing the day she was scouted.

Since then, the 26-year-old’s career has soared: she has appeared on magazine covers, been mentioned in a speech by Emmanuel Macron, and featured in major campaign shoots.

Now, back to Mandava at the Met Gala 2026.

When Chanel brought Mandava as its representative this year, the label once again styled her in a jeans-and-top look.

While the intent may have been to create a full-circle moment, the internet was quick to express disappointment over the choice. Met Gala, after all, is the world’s most extravagant red carpets.

This fundraising spectacle is known for the magnificent sartorial drama it inspires, with guests interpreting the theme through bold, often theatrical fashion. Each attendee (along with their army of stylists) goes the extra mile to stand out on the Met Gala carpet, where even safe, classic couture gowns can feel underwhelming. In that context, Mandava turning up in jeans was far from how fashion enthusiasts expected the industry’s newest breakout face to make her debut.

The outfit also did not align with the dress code this year, ‘fashion is art’.

Several social media users expressed disappointment online. “Now why would they do Bhavitha like this?” an X user wrote in a post.

“I get that it's a play on her first runway look, but what are you playing at sending Bhavitha Mandava to the Met in bloody jeans and a going-out top,” read another post. “Omg Bhavitha, I’m so sorry girl. Chanel did you dirty,” another X user wrote.

India had a strong presence at fashion’s biggest night this year. Filmmaker Karan Johar made his debut, as did Jaipur’s royal sibling duo Gauravi Kumari and Sawai Padmanabh Singh. Isha Ambani, Natasha Poonawalla, Sudha Reddy, and Manish Malhotra also returned to the Met Gala in statement-making outfits.

As for Bhavitha Mandava, while the outfit choice by Chanel may have fallen flat, her presence at the coveted event remains significant and deserves to be celebrated.

- Ends