The 2026 Met Gala on May 4 went viral with Chanel model Bhavitha Mandava making an appearance with jeans, contrary to the expectations of the Met Gala. Known for their extravagant outfits every year, audiences have high expectations for Met Gala attendees. With this year’s theme, “Costume Art,” accompanied by “Fashion is Art,” the theme invited the guests to explore the intersection of fashion, the body, and art history.
Multiple celebrities lived up to the expectations of the Met Gala, appearing in exorbitant outfits. Among the best dressers this year were Emma Chamberlain in Mugler’s hand-painted looks and Sarah Pidgeon in Loewe’s chic dress.
Yet even among the celebrities with extraordinary outfits, the one that stirred the most conversation was Bhavitha Mandava’s Chanel outfit. Chanel has a tradition and an expectation of models appearing in their brand-matching outfits: for instance, BlackPink Jennie’s 2025 Met Gala outfit was famous for its resonance with the brand identity.
“I have been following up with the Met Gala for a few years, but I have never seen an outfit like Mandava,” Serena Lim (11), fashion enthusiast, said. “It was certainly different from the norms of the Met Gala, where everyone dresses extravagantly.”
The simplistic outfit of Mandava was not only unseen at the Met Gala but also was distinct from Chanel’s previous traditions. If so, what was the reason behind the surprising outfit choice of Mandava?
Behind the simple jeans and the blouse lies the intentional choice of Chanel’s creative director, Matthieu Blazy. The “jeans” were in fact a haute couture trompe l’œil — high-fashion technique that uses optical illusions — made of silk muslin. This was a purposeful choice that resonated with Mandava’s unique life path, with a dramatic transition from being a mere student to a model for Chanel.
Not only was she one of the first Indian models in Chanel, but she also got to open the Chanel show upon her debut. Blazy’s outfit symbolized an emotional, full-circle homage to the exact clothes she was wearing when a modeling scout first discovered her in a New York City subway.
“After hearing the meaning behind Mandava’s outfit, I think that it was an interesting take on Chanel,” Claire Park (11), Met Gala viewer, said. “Especially with the expectation of the Met Gala being flashy, Mandava popped out from the crowd.”
