Bhavitha Mandava makes India proud, wins Instagram Rings Award 2026

Bhavitha Mandava has joined global names such as Erling Haaland and 23 other creators as a winner of Instagram's Rings Award 2026.New Delhi,Oct 30, 2026 12:39 ISTIndian model Bhavitha Mandava is adding another feather to her cap! The 26-year-old, who made history by becoming the first Indian model to open a Chanel runway, has been named one of the 25 global winners of Instagram’s Rings Award 2026. The recognition celebrates creators who push boundaries, take creative risks and make an impact through their work, regardless of how many followers they have.Bhavitha is among the three India-linked names on this year’s list, alongside Kerala-based freestyle footballer Muhammed Riswan and Indian-American comedian and content creator Pooja Tripathi. Their inclusion highlights the diverse creative talent making waves on the platform, from international fashion runways to football trick shots and comedy sketches.Why did Bhavitha Mandava win the Instagram Rings Award?In its announcement, Instagram highlighted Bhavitha’s remarkable journey from being a student in New York to becoming a recognised face in international fashion."Bhavitha Mandava was discovered on a subway platform by Matthieu Blazy in jeans and a tee, with no modeling experience before debuting as a Bottega Veneta exclusive," the platform noted. It also highlighted her historic Chanel debut, her appointment as a Chanel House Ambassador and her British Vogue cover, noting how she offers an insider's view of the fashion industry while bringing an outsider's perspective to her content.And what makes her journey particularly remarkable is how unexpectedly it all began. Born into a Telugu family in Andhra Pradesh and raised in Hyderabad, Bhavitha studied architecture at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University before moving to New York to pursue a master's degree in Integrated Design and Media/Human Computer Interaction.Today, she is one of the most renowned names in the world of luxury fashion.Who are the other India-linked winners?Bhavitha isn't the only creator with Indian roots to make the cut. Here are the other two names to know.1. Muhammed RiswanA freestyle footballer from Kerala, Muhammed Riswan has built a global following with his jaw-dropping football tricks and creative videos. He shot to international fame in November 2023 after a video of him kicking a football into a waterfall went viral, garnering hundreds of millions of views.Instagram recognised his gravity-defying skills and the way he has taken his talent from local football grounds to a global audience. His content combines his Malayalam roots with a distinctive freestyle football style, making him one of India's most recognisable creators in the sport.2. Pooja TripathiPooja Tripathi, an Indian-American comedian, actor, writer and content creator based in New York, is also among the winners. Known for her satirical sketches, she has built an audience through relatable characters and sharp observations about city life and contemporary culture.One of her best-known projects is the Brooklyn Coffee Shop series, which pokes fun at the characters, conversations and quirks associated with trendy urban cafes.What is the Instagram Rings Award?Launched in October 2025, Instagram's Rings programme recognises 25 creators from around the world for their originality, creative courage and cultural impact. Last year, content creator Dolly Singh was the only Indian on the list.For the 2026 edition, the winners were selected by a panel of judges that included fashion designer Donatella Versace, musician A$AP Rocky, filmmaker Chlo Zhao and Indian chef Vikas Khanna, among others.What do the winners get?The recognition comes with more than bragging rights. Each winner receives a physical ring designed in collaboration with fashion designer Emily Adams Bode Aujla. The ring features a four-leaf clover carved from Connemara marble, symbolising the idea that creative risk-taking can help people make their own luck.Winners also receive special digital perks on Instagram, including profile customisation options and a gold ring around their Stories profile picture.- Ends