Netizens Have Mixed Reactions to Bhavitha Mandava's Met Gala 2026 "Jeans" Look
The model wore a polarizing recreation of her viral opening look from the Chanel Metier d'Art show.
by Em Enriquez
Published on May 6, 2026
There was no shortage of head-turners at the 2026 Met Gala. With a dress code inspired by the museum's Costume Art exhibit, which explored the idea of the body as a blank canvas, guests were invited to arrive in wearable masterpieces.
One look that generated much buzz was that of Indian model Bhavitha Mandava, best known for opening the Chanel Metier d'Arts show in 2025. Many onlookers found her outfit—a sheer blouse and "jeans"—a polarizing choice for fashion's biggest night.
Bhavitha Mandava's Chanel Look at the Met Gala 2026
Bhavita rose to fame after she opened Matthieu Blazy's viral show in New York last season. Staged at a subway station, the presentation reflected the story of how she was discovered by a modeling scout in a similar setting. Back then, her look was simple but effective: a beige zip-up sweater worn with denim jeans and peep-toe pumps.
Fast forward to the first Monday of May, Bhavita stepped onto the Met steps in a similar ensemble. This time, the top was completely sheer, and her "jeans" were engineered to only resemble denim. It was an illusion that has become a signature technique in Matthieu’s Chanel.
However, many onlookers found the result underwhelming. One called the decision “insane,” lamenting that “the possibilities were endless, but they chose to put her in jeans.”
The sentiment resonated across social media, with many calling out Chanel for not giving the model a more culturally resonant outfit, especially for her first Met Gala appearance. One claimed it was a “microaggression” to seemingly ignore Bhavita’s Indian heritage through such a simple outfit.
On the other hand, some netizens emphasized the craftsmanship that likely went into creating her trompe-l’œil look. "It's refreshing to see a normal person in normal clothes. That's art too!" one wrote, highlighting the controversies that surrounded this year's event.
This year’s Met Gala is sponsored by Amazon, founded by Jeff Bezos, who is married to Lauren Sánchez Bezos. It is widely speculated that their involvement was the primary reason for the absence of Meryl Streep, among others, with many also calling for boycotts.
“It’s a statement on how fashion, even in its simplest form, is art,” one netizen offered in regard to her outfit choice. In the face of the discourse Bhavita’s look has caused, another pointed out that it certainly made for a memorable outing. “I take this as an iconic moment… and the fact that there’s so much conversation around it is exactly the point,” they expressed.
What did you think of her 'fit? Would you wear "jeans" to the Met Gala?
Em is queer and probably daydreaming somewhere. They're Preview's associate entertainment editor who's often spotted in cowboy boots and lemon-tinted sunnies.