Mumbai (Commonwealth Union)_ In a landmark move, French luxury house Chanel has named Ananya Panday as its first-ever brand ambassador for India, underscoring the country’s growing influence in the global luxury landscape. At 26, Panday represents a new generation of Indian talent making waves on international platforms. Her rapid rise in Bollywood, marked by acclaimed performances in Gehraiyaan (2022), Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (2023), and Call Me Bae (2024), has positioned her as a cultural force both on and off screen. With her growing fashion credentials and a strong digital presence, Panday’s appointment by Chanel is a strategic and timely decision.
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The actor’s long-standing affinity with Chanel has been visible in her style evolution. She has frequently appeared in Chanel ensembles for leading fashion publications such as Vogue India and Grazia India, and she notably attended the brand’s Spring/Summer 2025 show in Paris. With 25.9 million followers on Instagram, where she regularly tags and features Chanel, her alignment with the brand had long hinted at a formal collaboration. Chanel, which entered the Indian market in 2005, has maintained a selective yet deliberate footprint in the country. Its portfolio includes a flagship boutique in New Delhi, multiple fragrance and beauty stores across major cities including Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Gurugram, as well as retail counters at key airports.
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The launch of its dedicated e-commerce platform further signals its intent to deepen engagement with Indian consumers. In an official statement to The Business of Fashion, Chanel expressed that Panday embodies a generation of evolving tastes and fiercely independent identities who navigate the world with their curiosities, calling her the ideal representative for the brand in India. Panday, reflecting on the collaboration, described Chanel as a symbol of personal liberation, saying the house inspires one to boldly embrace their individuality with timeless elegance.
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This significant appointment coincides with the exponential growth of India’s luxury market. Accordingly, a Bain & Company report projects that Indian spending on luxury goods will reach between €25 and €30 billion ($28–32 billion) annually by 2030. Alongside her role with Chanel, Panday also fronts campaigns for Swarovski, Jimmy Choo, Lakmé, Timex, and Beats by Dre. With this announcement, she becomes the first of her generation to represent a legacy fashion house like Chanel, joining the ranks of Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, and Sonam Kapoor in shaping India’s global fashion narrative.
