Bhavitha Mandava Makes a Splash at Venice Film Festival in Chanel Mermaid Gown That Took 1,250 Hours to Create

Indian model Bhavitha Mandava, who rose to prominence after opening Chanel’s Métiers d’Art 2026 collection in New York and later made history as the luxury house’s first Indian House Ambassador, has made another major fashion statement with her red carpet debut at the Venice Film Festival.

Mandava attended the premiere of Shin’ya Tsukamoto’s Mr Nelson, Did You Kill People?, swapping the three-quarter-zip-and-jeans look from her much-discussed Met Gala debut for a dramatic Chanel gown from the closing look of the Resort 2027 collection.

The Mermaid Dress

Designed by Matthieu Blazy, the striking aqua-blue gown transformed Mandava into a modern-day mermaid on the Venice red carpet.

The sleeveless dress features an exaggerated V-neckline at both the front and back, with multiple shades of aqua blue creating the impression of shimmering skin emerging from the water.

According to Vogue, the gown was decorated with 30,000 domed, heart-shaped sequins in iridescent sky blue and deep turquoise. Its dramatic back flounces were adorned with another 96,000 oval sequins in matching aqua tones.

The Lesage atelier reportedly spent 1,250 hours embroidering the gown, with the flounces applied directly to the back and hem to create an ocean-inspired effect reminiscent of a shell beneath the sea.

The figure-hugging silhouette closely followed Mandava’s frame, giving the ensemble its distinctive mermaid-like appearance.

The Accessories and Glam

Mandava complemented the gown with a camellia brooch embellished with blue and green sequins, along with earrings featuring gold-tone metal and red resin. Silver strappy sandals completed the look.

For makeup, she opted for a deliberately understated approach, allowing the elaborate gown to remain the focus. Her look featured feathered brows, silver eyeshadow, a glossy pink lip, subtle rouge and cheek highlighter, soft contouring and mascara.

She wore her hair loose in a side parting, with her tresses swept over one shoulder for an elegant and effortless finish.

Mandava’s Venice appearance demonstrated how a statement gown can command attention without the need for dramatic makeup or oversized accessories.

Who Is Bhavitha Mandava?

Bhavitha Mandava is an Indian fashion model who made history as Chanel’s first Indian House Ambassador and the first Indian model to open a show for the French luxury fashion house.

Originally from Hyderabad, Mandava studied architecture at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University before pursuing a master’s degree at New York University. She was reportedly discovered by a modelling scout while travelling on the New York City subway.

Her Chanel journey has since taken her from opening major runway shows to making high-profile appearances at the Met Gala and now making her Venice Film Festival red carpet debut.