As the last glance was seen on the runway at the Spring/Summer 2026 haute couture runway at Chanel, the room appeared to stop. Wearing the traditional bridal finale model, Bhavitha Mandava came out with calm confidence.
It was a historic moment in her life when she became the first South Asian and Indian fashion model to close a couture show as a Chanel bride. It was not just a fashion showcase. It was one of the moments that many were looking forward to witnessing.
A Defining Runway Moment
The bridal appearance is always unique in haute couture shows. The last thing is the outfit that is usually created to be memorable. It is a prestigious and elegant position in the fashion industry that has had a symbolic meaning over decades.
The appearance of Bhavitha in such a posture was a definite change. Her appearance indicated that the world of luxury fashion is gradually becoming more accessible to other cultures and communities.
Wearables were guided by creative director Matthieu Blazy who has combined both traditional and contemporary conceptions. The designs of Spring/Summer 2026 were a mixture of soft materials, delicate handcrafting, and striking construction. This equilibrium was manifested in the bridal gaze. It was full of classic beauty but at the same time it was new and up-to-date, which fitted the aesthetic of the whole show.
Custom Meets Fresh Representation.
To most audiences, the significance of this scene transcended style. The South Asian presence in high fashion has been few and far between and particularly in the European luxury houses. That was a pattern that Bhavitha defied in a very straightforward and effective manner with her walk.
Over the past few years, the fashion industry has transitioned whereby diversity is being considered. Nevertheless, real milestones are hard to come by. It is not a matter of merely a runway appearance to become a couture bride at Chanel.
Couture shows require months to prepare. Each needle, each mark is calculated. As in the case of Bhavitha, the outcome of years of modeling, casting and world campaigns was walking that last path. The minute-long spotlight was short but the effect extended miles down the runway.
When the pictures of the show went viral, they were popularized by fashion followers in various countries. It was an event that was seen by many as one filled with pride and meaning. Small things can be of significance in an industry, in which history and tradition count heavily.
The entrance of Bhavitha Mandava as the bride of Chanel was not screaming. Rather it silently began a new chapter. This was a story that will be remembered over the years in the world of haute couture where every detail has a story behind it.
Watch the video here :
@mandavabhavitha Chanel made my parents’ dream of seeing me as a bride come true, too bad their daughter has no rizz to get a groom 💍 I felt every flutter of a bride’s heart, shy, blush, joyful, and completely swept up in the magic of the moment. Thank you for trusting me to close the show and for the incredible honor of being a Chanel bride. 🤍
