Who Was Presented at Le Bal des Débutantes 2023 in Paris?
Taking social media by storm, this season’s crop of Parisian debutantes are providing us with our daily dose of fantasy – and couture
The idea of a debutante ball was to introduce women of marrying age into society, now days, with adaptations of the event in shows such as Gossip Girl, in 2023 it is much more than just a party starring eligible young society ladies.
Le Bal des Débutantes in Paris, also known as Le Bal, still maintains elements of the traditional event such as the presentation of each debutante and an opening waltz; the event has been taking social media by storm, notably TikTok, in the past few days.
Held annually in November at Shangri-La Paris, the former residence of Napoleon Bonaparte’s nephew, the ball assembles 20 debutantes aged 16 to 22. The inaugural event first took place in the orangery of the Palace of Versailles in 1958. Today, it attracts a huge online audience that are both interested in fashion and history.
Le Bal supports two significant organisations: WCK World Central Kitchen, aiding crisis-stricken regions around the world, and the Hôpital Necker-Enfants malades, the world’s first children’s hospital.
Who are past Debutants
Among past participants are notable names such as Ava Phillippe, daughter of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe, and Lily Collins, along with Hollywood royalty like Ella Beatty, Viola Mikkelsen, and Sophia-Rose Stallone. Notably, Jen Li, the daughter of Huawei’s founder, was also presented.
Who are the 2023 Debutants?
This year’s list of debutante (and their gowns) have been taking over social media already; from Elie Saab to Jean Paul Gautier, see the best fashion moments here.
In this year’s spotlight, Countess Lara Cosima Henckel von Donnersmarck graced the floor, sharing a moment with her father, Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck. Florian, an Oscar-winning director renowned for his work in The Lives of Others (2007), added a touch of cinematic magic to the prestigious event in Paris.
What did they wear?
The 2023 debutante lineup marked a historic moment for Le Bal, featuring the first-ever Pakistani debutante Hannah Husain. Dressed in exquisite creations by Georges Hobeika and Elie Saab, Hannah graced the event with elegance.
Notably, she is the great-great-granddaughter of Sir Fazle Husain, a distinguished Barrister from Cambridge, an influential Education Minister, and the founder of the Unionist party in India. Her great-grandfather also served as the Pakistani Ambassador to Beirut, Lebanon.
Among the other debutantes, Advaitesha Birla radiated grace at the event, embodying the legacy of one of India’s oldest business families, the Birlas, whose entrepreneurial history spans back to the 19th century. Advaitesha captivated onlookers with her stunning ensembles by Sabyasachi. Each outfit showcased a blend of tradition and contemporary elegance.
Lead Image Courtesy Of The Royal Watcher via @the_royal_watcher on Instagram.