Modern Muse: How to dress like Chanel’s Latest inspiration
bottega veneta 2026
Wardrobe Counsel
Bhavitha Mandava, the 25-year-old scouted by Bottega Veneta’s Matthieu Blazy on the New York City subway, quickly became the designer’s muse. After appearing in Blazy’s spring collection for Bottega veneta, the model followed him to Chanel where she opened this iconic runway held at the J/Z Bowery station subway stop; a rather serendipitous turn of events considering their first meeting, wouldn’t you say? Mandava’s ensemble was an homage to what she was wearing when approached by Blazy that day on her commute.
Mandava’s walk in that particular runway, however, also marked her as the first Indian model to open a Chanel show. Coming from India to pursue a Master’s at NYU, Mandava has become an icon in more ways than one. Here’s how to recreate the effortlessly chic ensemble seen on Mandava:
Tory Burch moondance layered pearl necklace
A daintier twist on the Chanel necklace, this moondance layered pearl necklace from Tory Burch features an 18 karat gold plated chain with glass pearls and the brand’s signature logo. For $200 the simple layered necklace can easily be dressed up or down year round.
Madewell’s the ‘90s cropped tee in compact cotton
A much-needed staple in any closet, the white t-shirt is perfect to layer under any sweater for Mandava’s effortless look. Madwell’s 100% cotton ‘90s cropped tee in compact cotton features a crew neck and slight crop, making it both flattering and relevant for 2026. At $45, this 5 star piece is a wardrobe need.
GAP textured cotton oversized half-zip pullover
Another 100% cotton pick is the GAP textured cotton oversized half-zip pullover in chino beige is a natural fiber counterpart to the Chanel ¾ zip seen on Mandava. Perfect for summer-to-fall weather, the originally $69.95 sweater is now $34 for a limited time on the GAP website.
Arket suede belt
The Arket suede belt in dark brown has the sleek style of the Chanel belt in a fall-friendly suede material. For $69 this 100% suede is yet another natural treasure perfect for recreating this Chanel look.
Coach Chelsea shoulder bag
To get the feel of the Chanel bag, look for a flap bag with a chain shoulder strap. The Coach Chelsea shoulder bag in maple or dark chocolate with brass hardware mirrors the essence of the Chanel bag beautifully. For $350, the Chelsea bag is an investment in an enduring luxury.
Maje short tweed jacket
Maje’s short tweed jacket in black is composed of 50% minimum recycled materials and is a perfect substitute for the Chanel tweed Mandava is shown wearing slouched over her shoulder bag. For $560 this is certainly an investment piece for getting the Chanel look, but an ageless trend that will always have a place in your wardrobe.
AGOLDE arc high waist loose wide leg jean
Sold on websites like Nordstrom and Free People, AGOLDE is known for producing top-tier denim, and their arc high waist loose wide leg jean is no exception to the standard. At $258 this is a 100% cotton investment that will last a lifetime and beat the vicious trend cycle.
Steve Madden tadan black/white pump
Steve Madden will forever be a saving grace when looking to recreate a runway look without the runway price tag, and these tadan black/white pumps are no exception. For $119.95, you can choose between the signature black and white or this season’s black and teal colorway.
Essential
Loro Piana loro sweater
Arguably, the center of this look is the homage to Mandava’s day-to-day styling. The piece that turly captures this ease and wearability is the half-zip sweater, which is having its moment at the forefront of fall trends. While a heafty investment, the loro sweater from Loro Piana is worth its $3040 price tag; 100% cashmere made in Italy and is sure to last forever in both durability and the world of fashion.
