Young women from affluent families gathered at the modern debutante ball, coming together to support several charities.
Le Bal des Débutantes, held in Shangri-La Paris this year, has become the fashion event for society’s young ladies from all around the world. In England, debutante balls were an 18th century tradition while in France, the traditional debutante ball started in 1957 and ended in 1973.
This modern version was revived and organized by Ophélie Renouard in 1992, as a place for young society women to meet and raise money for charities.
In the past, the event has supported charities such as Enfants d’Asie, an organization which provides education for girls in Southeast Asia, and Seleni, a non-profit that finances research in healthcare for adolescent mothers.
This year, the ball supported two causes. The first is the Association of Cardiology Research from Fetus to Adult (ARCFA), which aims to improve the quality of life of children with heart defects at Necker-Enfants Malades.
The second is the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in New York’s Hudson Valley. An internationally recognized treatment and research center, the hospital is leading breakthrough research in cancer and blood diseases.
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Now in the age of social media, debutantes no longer need to make their social debuts. Rather, le Bal is an event for couture and their media premieres.
Every year in November, Renouard invites 20 young women and their cavaliers to le Bal, where couture houses each dress a debutante for the event. Here are some of the stunning looks from this year’s le Bal.
Apple Martin
Apple Martin, the daughter of actress and businesswoman Gwyneth Paltrow and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, officially stepped into the spotlight as a le Bal debutante.
The 20-year-old was dressed by Valentino’s creative director, Alessandro Michele. The evening dress is made from ciel bleu silk plissé chiffon with a bodice that features intricate vertical plissé detailing. Meanwhile, the waist is elegantly accentuated with a black silk bow.
According to Vogue, it took the atelier 750 hours to bring the dress to life. Martin then completed the look with strappy Valentino sandals in a matching shade of blue.
The young debutante was accompanied by her celebrity parents and her brother, all wearing Valentino as well. Her grandmother, actress Blythe Danner, was also present at the event.
Lucia Ponti
Lucia Ponti, granddaughter of Italian actress Sophia Loren, turned to Armani for her le Bal debut.
Her strapless gown featured striped details and lace overlay, which she paired with a diamond and emerald necklace.
The debutante’s parents, Sasha Alexander and Edoardo Ponti, also dressed in Giorgio Armani looks.
Sophie Kodjoe
Sophie Kodjoe is the daughter of American actress and model Nicole Ari Parker and Austrian-German actor Boris Kodjoe.
The 19-year-old opted for an Oscar de la Renta gown in a rich burgundy hue. Along with the sculptural, strapless dress, Kodjoe also wore a gold collar necklace.
Ella Yam
Ella Yam, daughter of Hong Kong actor Simon Yam and model Qi Qi, has grown into quite the model herself, gracing the cover of Vogue HK’s December 2024 issue.
For le Bal, Yam went for a Giambattista Valli Haute Couture Nº23 draped silk chiffon and hand-pleated silk organza “bougainvillée” dress.
Rysa Panday
Rysa Panday is the daughter of Indian actor Chunky Panday and Bhavana Pandey. Her older sister, Ananya, is also an actress.
The Indian debutante chose a gilded lace embroidered Elie Saab gown. Like the other young ladies, she wore jewelry from V Muse, a partner of le Bal.
Banner image via Instagram @maisonvalentino.
