Orchestrated in late November in Paris, the Debutante Ball brought together 19 young women from the four corners of the world and from the highest social spheres. A look back at one of the most elegant events of the year.
The Debutante Ball draws its roots from 18th-century European aristocratic traditions, when young women were presented at court before their 18th birthday to establish or strengthen family alliances. After a long hiatus, Ophélie Renouard revived the event in 1994 in Paris, modernizing the tradition with a dancing ball and by pairing each debutante with a Haute Couture Maison, while giving it an international and philanthropic dimension. Last year, the legendary ball celebrated its thirtieth anniversary at the Shangri-La, the Palace that also hosted the 2025 edition on November 29.
The High-Society Ball
The opulent salons of the Parisian palace were once again elevated by one of the most eagerly awaited events of the social calendar. The 31st Debutante Ball gathered 19 young women aged 17 to 21 from across the globe: heirs to ancient dynasties, descendants of royal families, or children of celebrities, including Hollywood relatives. In short, a very exclusive circle within international high society.
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Announced by the ambassador of French history and master of ceremonies Stéphane Bern, these nepo babies were accompanied by their escorts. After an elegant dinner, the Ball began with an opening waltz danced by the debutantes and their fathers, followed by the young couples’ dances. It was an opportunity to observe warm exchanges and almost strategic encounters. Indeed, beyond perpetuating tradition, the Debutante Ball is a key moment for strengthening ties between families and sparking influential connections.
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However, this ball is not just a fashion show and a prestigious event: it is part of an initiative in the purest tradition of Charity balls in the Anglo-Saxon world (gala de bienfaisance in French). The funds raised during the evening were donated to fetal-adult cardiology research (ARCFA) and a pediatric hospital in the United States. Refinement was mandatory and generosity was encouraged.
Who Was There?
True to the tradition of showcasing a refined and luxurious art of living, the debutantes were dressed in the most exquisite Haute Couture gowns. Elie Saab, Lanvin, Georges Hobeika, Schiaparelli, Christian Dior, Vera Wang… The most prestigious fashion houses once again spared no effort to illuminate the silhouettes of the young women. Jewelry, precious stones, tiaras, opera gloves and elegant hairstyles completed the ensemble. Among the sponsors of the evening were fashion house Carolina Herrera, jeweler V Muse, and hair salon Jacques Dessange.
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Among the French fashion houses, Parisian elegance reigned supreme. American Bronwyn Vance, daughter of actors Angela Basset and Courtney B. Vance, stood out in Stéphane Rolland Haute Couture, while Alexandra Moxey, also from the United States, embodied a modern look in Lanvin. Almudena Dailly d’Orléans, Spanish-French, chose Christian Dior Haute Couture, and Reagan Sacks shone in a spectacular Schiaparelli Haute Couture, reaffirming the House’s artistic audacity.
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The American fashion houses, meanwhile, brought a transatlantic energy combining modernity, audacity, and sensuality. Granddaughter of designer Carolina Herrera, Carolina B. Lansing paid tribute to New York elegance in a dress designed by the House’s creative director Wes Gordon. The young woman caused a sensation in a polka-dot strapless dress adorned with a voluminous bow on the skirt, accessorized with a choker necklace set with a diamond flower.
Ruby Kemper embraced the rock aesthetic of Chrome Hearts. Sarah Bae, an American of Asian descent, shone in the structured femininity of Oscar de la Renta, and Alice Wang opted for the minimalist poetry of Vera Wang. Baroness Isabelle von Perfall, an American of Bavarian nobility, wore the sophisticated romanticism of Monique Lhuillier. Finally, Swedish debutante Eliza Lindroth chose the American avant-garde spirit of Rick Owens, adding a radical note to the procession.
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Many other fashion houses dressed these renowned heiresses, creating a tableau of varied and vibrant influences. Britain’s Lady Araminta Spencer-Churchill, a descendant of Sir Winston Churchill, shone in Giorgio Armani Privé, while Franco-Belgian Gabrielle Janssens de Balkany, granddaughter of Princess Marie-Gabrielle of Savoy, daughter of the last king of Italy, wore Luisa Beccaria.
Eulalia de Orléans-Bourbon, French and goddaughter of King Juan Carlos of Spain, chose Tony Ward, while Ella Wadia, Pakistani-Indian, wore Elie Saab Haute Couture. Frenchwoman Isabelle d’Orléans, descendant of the Duke of Orléans and former French king Louis-Philippe, dazzled in Antonio Grimaldi, and Eugénie de Hohenzollern, a German from a princely house, opted for Natan. Eliza Lindroth of Sweden wore avant-garde Rick Owens, while Josephine Haas of France turned to the imperial exuberance of Guo Pei. Jillian Chan, who is Chinese-Thai, appeared in Georges Hobeika. Greek model Eirini Zarifi closed the show in Deborah Milner. Her father, Leon Zarifi, is a descendant of the prestigious Constantinople banking family, while her mother, Krystyna Zarifi, comes from one of Greece’s oldest shipping families.
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Featured photo : © Le Bal / Borde / Moreau / Bestimage
