New Delhi: Indian model Bhavitha Mandava has added a major international milestone to her career by being named one of the 25 global winners of Instagram's Rings Award 2026. The 26-year-old, who previously made history as the first Indian model to open a Chanel runway, is recognized alongside global figures such as football star Erling Haaland for pushing creative boundaries and making an impact through digital content regardless of follower counts.
Bhavitha is one of three India-linked creators featured on the latest list, joining Kerala-based freestyle footballer Muhammed Riswan and New York-based Indian-American comedian and content creator Pooja Tripathi. Their inclusion underscores a diverse range of talent spanning international fashion, athletic tricks, and satirical comedy.
Instagram highlighted Bhavitha's unique transition from an architecture student to a fixture in luxury fashion, noting her discovery by Matthieu Blazy on a subway platform in New York. Born into a Telugu family from Andhra Pradesh and raised in Hyderabad, she studied at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University before pursuing a master's degree in Integrated Design and Media and Human Computer Interaction in New York.
The Instagram Rings Award, launched in October 2025, honors 25 creators worldwide annually for originality and cultural impact. The 2026 selection panel included prominent figures such as fashion designer Donatella Versace, musician A$AP Rocky, filmmaker Chlo Zhao, and chef Vikas Khanna.
Winners receive a physical ring created in partnership with designer Emily Adams Bode Aujla, featuring a four-leaf clover carved from Connemara marble to represent creative risk-taking. Additionally, recipients gain platform perks including profile customization tools and a distinctive gold ring displayed around their Instagram Stories profile pictures.