Dazzling Debs
Amid the shimmering lights of Paris this past November, the debutante ball known as Le Bal des Débutantes unfolded as a timeless celebration of tradition, elegance, and modern prestige. This storied event, held annually at one of the city's most opulent venues, continues to captivate as a symbol of heritage and global sophistication.
The first Le Bal des Débutantes took place in July of 1958, at the Palace of Versailles. Originally started as a social event, it was financed by the Parisian fashion and perfume houses. For the first 10 years, the ball was held annually with young women attending as upcoming debutantes. In 1968, the event was cancelled due to the worker uprising in France and subsequently was not held until 1992.
In 1994, Ophélie Renouard revived Le Bal des Débutantes as an invite-only fashion event. Her intention behind it was to create a charitable event which honored French society and traditions. The organization has supported a multitude of charities over the years, including Enfants d'Asie, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, and the World Central Kitchen. Le Bal 2024 supported two causes: Maria Fereri Children’s Hospital in New York and the ARCFA - Association of Cardiology Research from Fetus to Adult.
This year Le Bal was held at Shangri-La Hotel Paris where Apple Martin and Lucia Ponti attended as honorary debutantes, alongside Sophie Kodjoe, Apollonie Halard, and many others who made their high society debut. Their couture gowns, crafted by renowned designers such as Valentino, Schiaparelli, and Jean Paul Gaultier, were masterpieces in themselves. Exquisite fabrics, intricate beading, and bold silhouettes underscored the fusion of tradition and cutting-edge fashion.
According to an interview with Ophélie Renouard, the young men and women chosen to participate as debutantes at Le Bal are:
“We like accomplished boys and girls who fit with the story and vision of our event…We also had debutantes who became mothers and enrolled their daughters, and the same for cavaliers turned fathers. It has become like a family tradition for some, and we are very proud to be part of their memories.”
The focus of Le Bal is on the individuality and self-expression of the young debutantes; rather than every girl wearing a similar white dress and white gloves, they each sit down with their respective designers and choose a dress to their liking.
Apple Martin photographed at Shangri-La Hotel Paris wearing Valentino via Vogue © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Apple Martin wore a baby blue silk plissé chiffon gown with a black bow by Alessandro Michele for Valentino, partnering with Leo Cosima Henckel von Donnersmarck. Lucia Ponti was dressed in a strapless gown with lace overlay by Armani, paying homage to her grandmother Sophia Loren, partnering with Count Alberico di Carpegna Brivio.
Sophie Kodjoe photographed at Le Bal des Débutantes with Toussaint Pierre-Vargas via Vogue © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Sophie Kodjoe, the daughter of And Just Like That... star Nicole Ari Parker, wore a burgundy Oscar de la Renta gown. In an interview with Vogue, Kodjoe stated that
“I think its history is rooted in sending young women off to the world to be married, but in this case, it showcases how individual all of the women participating are and how diverse and creative everyone is. I think it's a great opportunity to meet new people from all over the world and I'm just really honored to be a part of that.”
Apolonie Halard and Oona Finch photographed at Shangri-La Hotel Paris via Vogue © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Apollonie Halard wore a Schiaparelli black and blush pink gown, while Princess Eugenia de Borbon Vargas wore a Carolina Herrera strapless gown with a diamond tiara. Rysa Panday wore an Elie Saab gilded lace embroidered gown, while Mina Muniz Tschape wore a Jean Paul Gaultier white corseted gown with a cloud-like puff of a tulle skirt.
