Mona Bhujel was riding in a taxi on her way to visit a friend when her phone rang, delivering the news from her manager that she had officially booked Chanel. Sitting in the vehicle, she took a moment to absorb the milestone, realizing that years of persistent castings and hard work had culminated in the major booking. She described the experience as surreal and expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the iconic fashion house's presentation.
On October 5, Bhujel walked for Matthieu Blazy's Spring/Summer 2027 ready-to-wear collection at the Grand Palais in Paris. During the show, she wore a sheer black spaghetti-strap blouse featuring gathered detailing and a floral embellishment on the bust, paired with a matching gingham skirt and jacket, completed by a leather belt, Chanel booties, and a handbag. She joined fellow Indian models Lakshmi Menon and Bhavitha Mandava, the latter of whom serves as a house ambassador for Chanel.
Modelling was never part of the original plan for Bhujel, who was born and raised in Bengaluru, where she completed her schooling and later studied fashion design. Although drawn to creative fields, she did not intend to pursue a modelling career until she was scouted in her hometown in 2020 by Amrita Masani, founder of Faze Management Pvt Ltd. The timing coincided with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, which the agency utilized for grooming and test shoots.
As pandemic restrictions eased, Bhujel's career rapidly gained momentum due to her strong work ethic and professionalism, paving the way for her international debut. In 2022, she signed with global agencies and made her Milan Fashion Week debut walking for Bottega Veneta's Spring/Summer 2023 collection. Over the years, she has built an extensive portfolio working with international luxury labels like Chopard and Diesel, alongside prominent Indian designers including Gaurav Gupta, Anamika Khanna's AK-OK, and Papa Don't Preach by Shubhika. She has also appeared in a campaign alongside Deepika Padukone for the actor's Levi's collaboration.
Reflecting on her career trajectory, Bhujel noted that modelling gradually grew on her as she embraced the travel, the work, and the people she encountered. While acknowledging that the profession demands discipline and resilience against frequent rejections, she emphasized that it has pushed her out of her comfort zone and fostered personal growth. Furthermore, she observed that the global fashion industry is increasingly recognizing and embracing Indian talent, culture, and individuality.