'Leaves a sour taste': Days after the Met Gala, Bhavitha Mandava's outfit still has people outraged

OPINION -- When model Bhavitha Mandava showed up to the Met Gala in what was essentially jeans and a nice top, I will admit, I did a double-take.

Considering the sheer opulence of the Met Gala, with celebrities in gowns surrounding her, the 26-year-old undoubtedly stood out. But whether it was for the best is yet to be seen.

Eyeing her blouse and jeans combo, I noted it looked familiar. I was proven right when commentary came out later, confirming the look was an homage to her discovery as a model.

Watch the video above.

For those who don't know, Mandava was scouted by a modelling agent two years ago while waiting for a train in a Brooklyn, New York subway.

Last December, she made history, debuting as Chanel's first Indian ambassador at their Métiers d'Arts show, which took place in an underground subway. To mark the occasion, Mandava wore a high-end replica of what she was discovered in – a beige quarter-zip and jeans.

Months later, it seems Chanel has sent her out in her uniform again, this time at the biggest and most controversial fashion event of the season.

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This time, her outfit was made of silk muslin, with the pants printed with a trompe l'oeil effect aimed to mimic real denim, which has become something of a signature for the brand.

Mandava revealed her reaction when she first saw the sketch of her outfit to British Vogue.

"I had to pause… because that subway show was already one of the most significant nights of my career," she said.

"Turning it into something reimagined for the Met felt like carrying that memory forward, but in a more elevated way."

Mandava added that she wanted to represent herself, "honestly and fully".

And while that's all well and good, hasn't it been done before?

The reason her debut made such a mark was due to the understated nature of her discovery being celebrated in such a high-fashion environment.

But hammering this point in again at the Met Gala seemed unnecessary and off-theme for the gala, which had the dress code "Fashion is Art".

Though you could argue the outfit being worn again creates a statement that she herself is the art, or that it opposes all the opulence the Met Gala is known for, it still leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

For Mandava, this Met Gala debut was a milestone in her career, and she was done somewhat of a disservice by the brand, who dressed all their other attendees – such as Jennie of Blackpink, Margot Robbie, Lily Rose-Depp, and even Mandava's fellow ambassador Awar Odhiang, who posed beside her on the red carpet – in exquisite, eye-catching gowns.

Mandava is of South-Asian heritage, with Chanel having the option to draw inspiration from countless places, whether it be in history, art, or even Bollywood if they so chose to.

Other South-Asian attendees blew it out of the park this year.

Designer Manish Malholtra wore one of his own designs, which was inspired by the Mumbai artisans he works with, while director Karan Johar wore a Malholtra creation that brought artist Raja Ravi Varma's work to life with a dramatic cape made of vintage zardozi with three-dimensional embroidery and hand-painted gold work.

Isha Ambani, daughter of the richest man in Asia, wore a sculptural Gaurav Gupta woven with pure gold, while Jaipur royal family members Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh and his sister Gauravi Kumari made their debut in outfits by Nepali-American designer Prabal Gurung.

So why was Mandava left out of this rite of passage?

One fan on X thought the act went as far as being a racist microaggression, while another added, "making bhavitha mandava the face of chanel and then not putting any effort for her big moment. not even a dress. they wouldn't have done this if it was a white model."

One Reddit user theorised, "I think they thought were being really deep with this one but I feel like you can only play this game if you're an established figure in the public eye.

"Overall though it doesn't fit the theme and I just think a ode to her come up is a copout for what they really wanted to do which is have everyone gawk at how plain it is. Personally this is a humiliation ritual."

One fan on Instagram defended the outfit, calling it "an iconic moment": "It's memorable. And the fact there is so much conversation around it is exactly the point."

The model herself later subtly responded to the backlash by re-sharing the commentary of Instagram user Katie a Fashion Creative Consultant, in a now-expired Instagram story.

"What reads as classic denim paired with a lightweight knit is, in reality, ultra-fine silk engineered to mimic everyday fabrics," the story read.

"A trompe l'oeil effect that has become something of a Chanel signature of late, echoed throughout the house's Spring/Summer haute couture collection. Not just a pair of jeans, but lightweight couture denim at the Met."

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Stars marry fashion with art on the 2026 Met Gala red carpet

Chanel's playbook for Bhavitha has been to honour her story, from her very first appearance to now.

But on such a huge occasion, with an ambassador from an underrepresented background, instead of playing on the rags-to-riches story of her past, they should have done all they could with all the resources they had to set her up for success in her modelling future.

9honey has reached out to Chanel and Bhavitha Mandava for comment.

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