As Thanksgiving celebrations and bustling shopping excursions unfolded across the United States, another grand event, the Le Bal des Débutantes, dazzled Paris over the weekend within the opulent confines of the Shangri La Hotel.
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Organized by Ophélie Renouard, the ball served as a fundraising gala for the cardiology research unit ARCFA at Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, specializing in global care for children with heart defects, and World Central Kitchen, which provides meals to vulnerable communities in times of global crises.
Renouard revitalized Le Bal in the 1990s, offering a contemporary twist to the historic debutante balls of centuries past. The gathering brought together prominent modern royals, young socialites, and philanthropists from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the U.S., all adorned in extravagant gowns reflecting their individual styles.
Le Bal
TikTok sensation Countess Lara-Cosima Henckel von Donnersmarck, known for her lavish Parisian “get ready with me” videos as a Dior intern, inaugurated the ball with a dance alongside her father, film director Count Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck. With a newly debuted short-haired bob, she graced the event in a stunning silver-y lilac Jean Paul Gaultier gown adorned with golden motifs, complemented by a diamond tiara.
Subsequently, the debutantes engaged in a waltz with their fathers before being handed over to their cavaliers for dancing to the accompaniment of a live band. Among the attendees were Archduchess Ildiko of Austria, Princess Lissie Selassie of Ethiopia (accompanied by Gregory Peck’s grandson, Harper), and Marchesa Barbara Berlingier. Victoria Mestre-Cisneros, Lara Connor, Hannah Husain, Advaitesha Birla, and Skye Wong were also present, each making a statement in their extravagant gowns.
Wong opted for a sweeping scarlet red Vivienne Westwood creation, while Ildiko Von Habsbourg-Lorraine chose a chic royal blue Alexis Mabille dress. Le Bal Liza Webster showcased a sculptural black and white Guo Pei design, and Lara Connor donned a tiered navy blue princess-like Carolina Herrera gown with bursts of pink and blue tulle.
The festivities continued with more dancing, socializing, and the clinking of champagne glasses beneath the purple glow. Norwegian singer Angelina Jordan graced the event with a performance, dressed in a deep plum strapless gown and an emerald tiara. In the spirit of a modern debutante ball, attendees reveled in dressing up and embracing decadent glamour throughout the night.
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