In recognition of India’s rising prominence in the luxury industry worldwide, Chanel has appointed Ananya Panday as its first Indian brand ambassador, ushering in a significant period in the history of the maison and the rise of Indian luxury.

At the young age of 26, Panday is at the forefront of a new cultural movement by skillfully repping Gen Z in the world of luxury fashion.  In addition to solidifying her status as a new worldwide celebrity, her appointment underlines Chanel’s ongoing conversation about contemporary femininity, uniqueness, and self-expression.

“Beyond grateful and excited for my journey with @chanelofficial. The first ever brand ambassador for and from India. Dreams really do come true,” wrote Ananya on her personal Instagram page. The announcement was met with an outpouring of love from fans, friends, and fashion insiders alike.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ananya 🌙 (@ananyapanday)

Chanel was one of the first high-end brands to arrive in India in 2005.  Since then, it has established a subtle but consistent presence throughout this country, with three retail touch points at airports, a fashion boutique in New Delhi, seven fragrance and beauty outlets spread around cities including New Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, and the introduction of e-commerce last year.

In an official statement shared with The Business of Fashion, the French maison remarked, “Ananya characterises a generation of evolving tastes and fiercely independent identities who navigate the world with their curiosities. Her values resonate with Chanel, making her the perfect choice to represent the house.”

Speaking on her alignment with Chanel’s ethos, Panday said, “The brand embodies the essence of personal liberation, empowering one to boldly embrace their individuality with timeless elegance.”

This collaboration seems symbolic as well as strategic.   Chanel’s move signifies a dedication to accepting India not only as a market but also as a cultural powerhouse with worldwide influence in an area where luxury has long danced between tradition and change.

Earlier in October 2024, Panday attended the Chanel SS 2025 show in a pastel tweed jacket and Bermuda shorts. Panday’s outfit for the Chanel Design Studio’s swansong show during fashion month coincided with the house’s comeback after a few years away at the Grand Palais for the SS 2025 showcase.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by VOGUE India (@vogueindia)

Also, Ananya Panday shined in yet another stylish ensemble in Paris as she attended  the Gala de L’Opera while at a Chanel event. The star donned a black dress from the Chanel Spring 2022 couture line that was beautifully embroidered.  Despite its asymmetrical hemline, the dress is among Ananya’s most stunning red carpet event outfits to date.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ananya 🌙 (@ananyapanday)

Panday has fronted ads for Swarovski, Jimmy Choo, Lakmé, Timex, and Beats by Dre — she is no stranger to the fashion industry — but her Chanel debut puts her in a completely new league.  She now joins Sonam Kapoor (Dior), Alia Bhatt (Gucci), and Deepika Padukone (Louis Vuitton, Cartier) in an elite bunch of Indian women honoured by legacy houses. However, Panday is the first member of her generation to be accepted by a fashion house as renowned as Chanel, highlighting her unique standing as a contemporary fashion icon and muse.

Chanel and Ananya Panday not only create history with this collaboration, but they also establish a standard, one that redefines luxury in a new, bright India while respecting tradition and welcoming the youth.

After all, fashion is more than just what you wear. It all comes down to how you carry the future, and Ananya continues to do so with style, determination, and undeniable appeal.