Forbes Asia Names 30 Under 30 Honorees in Arts and Culinary Fields

Forbes Asia published its 2026 30 Under 30 list for the arts on May 27, 2026. The list highlights people under age 30 working in fashion, classical music, and food businesses.

Mandava, 25, was discovered by a modeling agent while riding the subway in Brooklyn in mid-2024. Within two weeks she made her runway debut for Bottega Veneta in Milan. Mandava later became the first Indian model to open a Chanel Métiers d'Art show in December.

She was named a Chanel house ambassador in March and appeared solo on the cover of British Vogue. In May she attended the Met Gala wearing a Chanel haute couture version of the sweater and jeans she wore when discovered. Mandava, who graduated from New York University last year, said her success may affect what South Asian women consider possible for themselves.

Peltokoski, a Finnish-Filipino conductor, was named incoming music director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic, the youngest person to hold the post. He will begin a four-year term in the 2026/27 season after serving as music director designate. Aristo Sham became the first Hong Kong musician to win the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2025.

Eunike Tanzil, an Indonesian composer, signed with Deutsche Grammophon in 2024 and collaborated with singer Laufey.

Sum founded Nasty Cookie in Singapore in 2018.

The company now operates six locations and sells about 2,500 cookies daily. Ankrish Gidwani runs Baking Maniac in Hong Kong, which has more than 150 corporate clients. Elise Hilliam co-founded Appetise in Australia; the meal-planning app raised A$7 million in February.