Paris Fashion Week delivered a notable moment for Indian modelling on 5 October 2026, when three Indian models walked Matthieu Blazy’s Spring/Summer 2027 ready-to-wear show for Chanel at the Grand Palais. Mona Bhujel joined established names Bhavitha Mandava and Lakshmi Menon on the runway, each presenting a distinct interpretation of the collection. The appearance marked a collective rather than singular achievement, highlighting different generations and styles of Indian talent on one of fashion’s most watched stages.
Three Looks, One House
The collection comprised 83 looks and revisited classic Chanel codes—tailoring, tweed references, florals and refined accessories—while applying Blazy’s contemporary sensibility through sheer fabrics, relaxed proportions, checks and unexpected colour combinations. The three Indian models were cast in separate segments of the show, ensuring their presence was distributed rather than concentrated in a single sequence.
Bhavitha Mandava, Chanel’s first Indian House Ambassador, walked look number 10. Her ensemble was among the more dramatic of the three: a black dress constructed around sculptural rose details stitched into an asymmetrical silhouette. Cut-outs and a fluid length added movement to the otherwise dark piece. She completed the look with an ice-blue Chanel clutch, matching sandals and the house’s signature earrings, creating a cool contrast against the black base.
Lakshmi Menon appeared later in look number 61, bringing a softer and more colourful register. She wore a pearl-white silk sleeveless blouse finished with a gold chain detail at the neckline, paired with a pistachio-green skirt that featured gold lining and embellished buttons. A white belt, sandals, a Chanel clutch and a classic tweed jacket completed the outfit, linking the fresh colour story back to the house’s enduring material language.
Mona Bhujel walked look number 17, offering a playful layered approach. Her sheer black blouse featured spaghetti straps, gathered detailing through the torso and a floral embellishment at the bust. She paired it with a gingham-patterned skirt and matching jacket, finished with a leather belt, a Chanel handbag and booties. The combination of sheer fabric, checks and floral accent gave the look a lighter, more youthful energy within the collection’s broader conversation.
Mona Bhujel’s Rising Trajectory
For Bhujel, the Chanel appearance represented a significant step in an international career that has been building steadily since 2022. She made her major runway debut with Bottega Veneta for the Spring/Summer 2023 season and subsequently walked for labels including Nehera. Coming from India’s North-east, her casting on a Chanel runway at the Grand Palais added another dimension to the growing visibility of models from diverse regional backgrounds within the global fashion system.
Her presence alongside two more established Indian names underscored a broadening of representation. While Mandava and Menon already carried substantial international profiles, Bhujel’s inclusion signalled that casting directors continue to look beyond a narrow set of familiar faces when selecting talent for major houses.
Bhavitha Mandava’s Continuing Role
Mandava’s return to the Chanel runway carried particular weight because of her formal association with the house. As its first Indian House Ambassador, she has already opened previous presentations and appeared in high-profile campaigns and red-carpet moments linked to the brand. Her sculptural black dress in this show reinforced the house’s willingness to place her in both classic and more experimental silhouettes, treating her as a consistent creative partner rather than a one-season novelty.
Lakshmi Menon’s Enduring Presence
Lakshmi Menon remains one of the most recognised Indian models on international runways. Her appearance in the pistachio-and-white combination demonstrated the continued demand for her distinctive presence and her ability to carry both colourful and refined looks with equal authority. The inclusion of a tweed jacket in her outfit grounded the fresher palette in Chanel’s historical vocabulary.
A Broader Indian Moment
The simultaneous presence of three Indian models in a single Chanel ready-to-wear show at the Grand Palais is notable for its scale and variety. It moves beyond the narrative of isolated breakthroughs and points toward a more sustained pattern of casting. Each model brought a different energy—sculptural drama, refined colour, playful layering—illustrating that Indian talent is not being reduced to a single aesthetic or storyline.
The show itself drew significant front-row attention, with high-profile guests underscoring the commercial and cultural visibility of Blazy’s early seasons at the house. Against that backdrop, the Indian models’ appearances registered as part of the main narrative rather than as peripheral inclusions.
What the Casting Suggests
Fashion houses increasingly recognise that global audiences respond to broader representation when it is integrated thoughtfully into the creative vision. Chanel’s decision to feature Mandava, Menon and Bhujel in distinct looks within the same collection suggests confidence in their individual strengths and in the market relevance of Indian faces. For younger models such as Bhujel, walking for a house of Chanel’s stature provides both validation and a platform for further opportunities.
For Indian fashion at large, the moment adds to a series of international runway appearances that have become more frequent in recent seasons. It reinforces the idea that talent from the country can occupy space at the highest level of ready-to-wear without being confined to a single narrative of “firsts.”
Looking Ahead
Mona Bhujel’s Chanel debut, alongside the continued presence of Bhavitha Mandava and Lakshmi Menon, offers a clear snapshot of where Indian modelling stands in 2026: established names retaining their places while newer faces secure significant bookings. The three distinct looks they carried at the Grand Palais demonstrated range rather than uniformity, which may prove the more lasting significance of the evening. In a season defined by individual interpretations of heritage houses, their collective appearance gave Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2027 show a quietly consequential Indian chapter.
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