MUMBAI, April 17 – French luxury fashion house Chanel has named Bollywood actress Ananya Panday as its first-ever Indian brand ambassador, underscoring the rising importance of the Indian market in the global luxury landscape.
The move comes as Chanel deepens its presence in India, nearly two decades after opening its flagship boutique in New Delhi in 2005. The brand recently launched its e-commerce platform in the country, marking another strategic step to tap into one of the world’s fastest-growing consumer bases for luxury goods.
Panday, a rising star in Indian cinema, was described by Chanel as “the epitome of chic taste” and a reflection of a generation with evolving style sensibilities and independent identities. “Her values resonate with Chanel, making her the perfect choice to represent the house,” the company said in a statement to Business of Fashion.
The actress recently attended the Chanel Spring/Summer 2025 show in Paris, donning an ensemble from the brand’s Cruise Collection. Her appearance drew widespread praise from fashion media in both India and abroad. Panday called the partnership “personally liberating,” and said the brand empowers individuals to “boldly embrace their individuality with timeless elegance.”
Already associated with a number of international fashion and lifestyle labels—including Swarovski, Beats, Timex, and Lakmé—Panday has steadily expanded her global fashion presence. She also appeared in a campaign for British luxury label Jimmy Choo in India. With Panday’s appointment, Chanel joins other global luxury houses in elevating Indian talent to the international stage, further acknowledging the growing influence of Indian consumers and celebrities in shaping global fashion trends.
