One of the ten most prestigious balls in the world according to Forbes, Le Bal des Debutantes celebrated its thirtieth anniversary at the Shangri-La on November 30. On the program: haute couture crinoline dresses, crowned heads and daughters of media personalities. Among them was Apple Martin, daughter of Coldplay bandleader and actress/entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow.
In the kingdom of France and Navarre, there are two courtly society traditions that are hard for a well-born young lady to find a husband: for the bourgeoisie, a series of monthly parties rocking to the hits of Indochine and the sound of the 1980s – the highly formal “rallies ” – and for the 1% of the world, Le Bal des debutantes, where the waltz is still king.
Originally a simple haute couture show, the event has become an ultra-selective social gathering, modernizing the aristocratic tradition inherited from the Ancien Régime. Over the years, the “ Bal des Debs” has expanded beyond particle names to include the world’s new business and show business fortunes, reflecting major international economic changes.
The 2024 vintage is no exception to the rule, with some twenty girls aged between 16 and 21, from some fifteen countries, ambassadors of elegance, grandeur and a certain art of living. An ideal opportunity for the major luxury brands, from Dior to Valentino and Carolina Herrera, to dress the offspring of the world’s greats.
A Bridgerton dream resurrected
In 1992 and 1993, “Le Bal” had not yet taken shape, consisting of a fashion show by France’s top haute couture designers: Oscar de la Renta was the only international designer to take part. In 1994, the event took the form of the bal dansant we know today. Among the 29 debutantes at this first edition were Delphine Arnault, only daughter of businessman Bernard Arnault, in Christian Lacroix, and her friend Ségolène Frère, daughter of Belgian businessman Albert Frère, in Dior. Stéphanie de Wangen became the first American debutante.
When Ophélie Renouard relaunched “Le Bal des Debutantes”, the institution was but a shadow of its former self, having come to a halt with the “events” of May 1968.
From the outset, this press relations professional, who had worked for some of the biggest names in fashion, had no desire to take up this aristocratic tradition, which had originated in England, in the strict sense of the word.
In the 18th century, young, well-born girls, just out of convent, were presented to the Queen in the year of their sixteenth spring. This moment, in the middle of autumn – in a glamorous setting, as in the Bridgerton costume series – marked their induction into high society and the start of “The Season ”, the ball season when these young ladies were part of all the festivities. The aim was to marry into the right party or strengthen family alliances. In Perfidious Albion, the tradition came to an end in 1953.
France, on the other hand, took this royal tradition, revisited with Napoleon III’s Fête Impériale, and developed it further in the early 1950s.
From the outset, Ophélie Renouard set her sights on an event showcasing haute couture creations, in stark contrast to the traditional bals des debutantes (debutante balls or coming out parties) that were particularly common across the Atlantic. These favor tiaras, immaculate long dresses and matching opera gloves, while the young male escort wears a military helmet.
Ophélie Renouard then had the idea of what would become her “signature”: to associate each of the debutantes with a Maison de haute couture according to her personality, and even her nationality.
For this was the organizer’s other wish: to make this an international event, with young girls from the four corners of the globe. France retains its cultural exception, with the possibility of up to two French or related representatives. The other girls are mostly European and American, with a handful of Asian ambassadors, including a few Chinese since 2003, reflecting the country’s dazzling economic development.
Finally, behind the glamour, the Bal des Débutantes is in fact a charity event, supporting two associations such as this year’s ARCFA, the Association de Recherche en Cardiologie du Foetus à l’Age Adulte, and the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in New York’s Hudson Valley.
A high-profile cast
Before the event gained any media coverage – mainly thanks to the daughters of famous actors and actresses – the lucky participants were essentially approached by the organizer herself, to the point where any outside requests were in vain. This rule was finally broken with the advent of social networking, as photos on news feeds gave the event unprecedented visibility.
The rule, however, remains unchanged: the organizer contacts the potential winners herself on their sixteenth birthdays, and they are then free to decide which edition of Le Bal des Debutantes they wish to appear in. Debutantes come mainly from the richest and most famous families, whether they are from the nobility or have prospered in business or the creative industries, particularly film.
In the past, Le Bal des Debutantes has welcomed many nepo babies (or celebrity daughters). These include Sylvester Stallone’s daughter Sophia Rose, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore’s offspring Scout and Tallulah Willis , and Clint Eastwood’s daughter Francesca.
But more than birth or title, Ophélie Renouard is looking for girls who are “studious and well-educated”. Criteria that had ruled out the likes of Paris Hilton.
Speaking to Figaro Madame, the organizer declared “my nightmare is the girl who is rich and has no other particularities”.
The event does, however, sometimes invite anonymous performers who have succeeded in shining on their own, such as Olivia Hallissey, a high-school student who attracted attention for her intervention in the Ebola virus screening.
Of the twenty or so debutantes present at this 2024 edition, a few names stood out from the crowd. Such is the case of Apple Martin. The American is the daughter of pop group Coldplay singer Chris Martin and actress and entrepreneur (founder of the Goop cosmetics brand) Gwyneth Paltrow. Lucia Sofia Pontin, granddaughter of actress Sophia Loren, was the evening’s other black screen legend.
Angel and Daniel Zhang, daughter and son respectively of Chinese director Zhang Yimou (Wives and Concubines, Hero, The Great Wall…) complete this prestigious areopagus.
Among the crowned heads, Princess Eugénie de Bourbon, daughter of Prince Louis, Duc d’Anjou, pretender to the throne of France, and Princess Marie-Marguerite. Countess Aliénor Loppin de Montmort was the only French guest at the event.
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Featured Photo: Official photo of the 2023 edition of the Bal des Debutantes © Le Bal des Debutantes
