Indian Model Bhavitha Mandava Met Gala Look Took '250 Hours To Make', Reveals Chanel After Backlash

Bhavitha Mandava made a talked-about debut at the Met Gala 2026 in a Chanel look that sparked mixed reactions online. The 26-year-old model from Hyderabad stood out from the night's more intricate renditions of 'Fashion Is Art' with her seemingly simple jeans and top combo. While several users on social media felt the luxury label had 'understated' the outfit for its first Indian ambassador, the French fashion house has now explained the thought and inspiration behind the ensemble. 

While Bhavitha Mandava's dress appeared to be high-street streetwear, it was actually a haute couture reimagining of the ensemble she wore to launch the Métiers d'art show in New York in December 2025, revealed Chanel while speaking to HT Lifestyle. The luxury brand claimed that the 'jeans' were actually made of silk and muslin and required '250 hours' of manual labour to replicate the texture of denim.

"Bhavitha Mandava, Chanel ambassador, wore at the Met Gala a beige muslin half zip sweater over a white muslin top and muslin printed pants with a blue denim effect. This look is a Haute Couture reinterpretation of the outfit she wore to open the Métiers d’art show in New York last December, marking her return to the city where she was first discovered. 250 hours were required in the making of this look."

ALSO READ - Karan Johar, Manish Malhotra To Isha Ambani; 7 Indian Celebs Who Redefine Costume Art At Met Gala 2026

ALSO READ - Best Dressed Celebs At Met Gala 2026: Beyonce, Isha Ambani, Sabrina Carpenter And Others

Bhavitha Mandava Subway Story

A modelling agency stopped Bhavitha Mandava, a graduate architecture student at NYU, as she was waiting for a train on the platform. In a few weeks, she was seated across from Matthieu Blazy at Chanel. Bhavitha Mandava, the first Indian model to start a Chanel show, did so in a quarter-zip and jeans when Matthieu Blazy organised the brand's Métiers d'Art exhibition on a New York subway platform in December 2025.

While Chanel shared the inspiration behind Bhavitha Mandava’s Met Gala 2026 debut look, the internet remained split. Many felt the outfit appeared too understated for a night known for bold fashion statements, especially as celebrities — from BLACKPINK members, Beyoncé, Rihanna to the Kardashians — embraced more dramatic ensembles on the carpet. At the same time, several users appreciated the simplicity and elegance of Bhavitha’s look.

What are your thoughts?