After the "Met Gala" Pants.. Indian Model in a "Couture" Dress in Venice

- The Indian model Bhavitha Mandava presented two completely different looks in her collaboration with the French house "Chanel", from pants that looked like jeans in her first appearance at the 2026 "Met Gala" to a "couture" dress covered in thousands of embroidered details at the 83rd Venice Film Festival. In her first appearance on the red carpet in Venice, her look showcased the luxurious craftsmanship of the fashion house at the forefront of the scene.

Mandava shone during her attendance at the premiere of the film "?Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People" directed by Japanese filmmaker Shinya Tsukamoto, wearing the final dress from the "Chanel Cruise 2027" collection, a design inspired by the underwater world called the "Mermaid Dress".

The dress came in gradient shades from sky blue to dark turquoise, giving the look an effect that mimicked the reflections of light on the water's surface. The dress featured intricate embroidery that covered the entire design, adorned with thousands of heart-shaped sequins that transitioned in color from light blue to turquoise, while white sequins were added to the ruffles, in details that required hours of meticulous craftsmanship.

Mandava completed her look with statement earrings and silver sandals, along with a camellia flower brooch embellished with sequins in shades of blue and green. This look holds special significance in Mandava's career, as her name was early on associated with Chanel's creative director, Matthew Blazy.

She achieved a remarkable milestone in December 2025, when she became the first Indian model to open a show for the French brand during the "Métiers d’Art" presentation held in a subway station in New York City.