From Ananya Panday to Bhavitha Mandava: How Indian girls are taking over Chanel’s fashion world

The global luxury fashion club is slowly shifting towards India, and Chanel has to be at the top of the list. From making Bollywood actress Ananya Panday their official ambassador for India to choosing Indian model Bhavitha Mandava for opening their runway shows, a new generation of Indian women is now reshaping these international maisons, and Chanel happens to be in the lead. From viral looks to Met Gala appearances, Indian fashion personalities are now becoming impossible to ignore.

For a recent event, Ananya Panday wore a statement leopard print co-ord set from Chanel's Métiers d'Art 2026 collection. It featured a knee-length leopard print skirt with a thigh-exposing slit, which looked extremely bold. She matched its aura with a buttoned top which slightly exposed her belly and gave a high-fashion, quiet-luxury look. With stunning Christian Louboutin pumps and beautiful jewellery pieces from Tanishq, she ran the show in this Chanel piece like anything.

(Image Credits: Instagram)

It seems like the whole world is talking about Bhavitha Mandava’s debut 2026 Met Gala look. Chanel’s official model, who broke the internet by being the first Indian woman to open a show for Chanel at the Métiers d'Art Show 2026. For her Met Gala look, people were hoping for a glamorous Chanel gown, but the label decided to present her in the same silk-made jeans and top, which she wore for her opening show. This immediately made her awkwardly stand out of the crowd, as celebrities and models were wearing extravagant interpretations of the theme of the night.

(Image Credits: Instagram)

Well, today’s market brings in a mix of social media influencers with cultural identity and experimental styling, which aligns perfectly with these high-end luxury brands. They wish to blend more with the international aesthetics, and Chanel’s steps feel both aspirational and relatable to the audience, making the brand gain new followers even amidst some controversies.