Matthieu Blazy's New Girl Bhavitha Mandava Covers Vogue UK March 2026

Lena Mantler in 'Sentimental Times for Vogue Adria Winter 2026 by Alessio Albi AOC Fashion

Subway Dreams

The New York subway has hosted young women with big dreams for decades. We have arrived from all over America and most every country in the world. Armed with intelligence, big dreams for our futures, no fear of really hard work and — yes — ambition, the vast majority of us shared a common experience.

We rode the New York subway — all of us — typically with long days, initially low salaries but increasing responsibilities in positions all over Manhattan. We weren’t wearing Chanel, but we had the determination and true grit to trade our Zara dresses and pant suits for Chanel one day in the future. The sooner the better.

Meet Bhavitha Mandava

Irony runneth over for rising model Bhavitha Mandava, an India-born and educated architect who moved to New York City to join NYU’s program in assistive technology. One day this gorgeous young woman with a big brain and a ‘smile to die for’ was scouted as an exclusive in Matthieu Blazy’s Bottega Veneta Spring/Summer 2025 show.

That event was only the beginning for Mandava. When Blazy moved to Chanel shortly after, the new girl went with him. In record time, this young woman ambassador for the uber-challenging, big rewards for women winners breaking through barriers in New York City would open the Chanel Métiers d’Art 2026 Show in New York City.

Subway Symbolism

Where did we find Bhavitha Mandava the night of December 2, 2025? Back in the subway.

There were faux gasps from the know-nothings, incredulous that Blazy could be so confused about reality that he thought Chanel clients rode the subway. Au contraire. Matthieu Blazy understands the dreams of women of every age on every continent. Those dreams are peppered with more than privilege. We are motivated by most of the same goals as men.