A constellation of radiant débutantes slipped into the opulent Shangri-La Paris on Saturday evening, their beauty lighting up the ballroom where high fashion waltzed with classic elegance.
Le Bal des Débutantes, orchestrated annually by Ophélie Renouard, unites 21 accomplished young women from noteworthy families. The debs, aged between 17-21 years old, are chosen from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the US to celebrate tradition, philanthropy, and style, all while raising funds for charity.
This year, the focus was shared between two charities; the cardiology research unit ARCFA of Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, which improves the quality of care for children with heart defects all over the world, and the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, which provides advanced pediatric care, with special emphasis on pediatric cardiovascular problems, childhood cancers, organ transplantation, complex breathing problems, genetic disorders, and challenges associated with premature birth.
The year’s fashion was a dazzling affair with crystal-dusted bodices, cascading skirts, and avant-garde silhouettes contributing to the sartorial magic. Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin‘s daughter Apple made her glittering debut in a Cinderally blue dress, while Lucia Ponti – the granddaughter of legendary screen star Sophia Loren – looked breathtaking in a strapless Armani number.
So who are this year’s diamonds of the season? Keep scrolling to meet the 2024 débutantes.
Chris and Gwyneth’s daughter was accompanied to the ball by Leo Cosima Henckel von Donnersmarck from the Austro-Hungarian noble family House of Henckel von Donnersmarck.
He is the son of film director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck and Christiane Asschenfeldt, the first International Executive Director of Creative Commons.
Proud papa Chris Martin couldn’t hide his glee as he watched the catwalk presentation. His daughter Apple is an honorary debutante this year, following in the footsteps of Ava Phillippe – Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe’s daughter – and Emily in Paris star Lily Collins before her.
Her grandmother Blythe Danner was also a guest at the prestigious event.
Naturally, Apple’s mother Gwyneth Paltrow was also in attendance, cheering the young debs on from the sidelines. The A-list actress joined her ex-husband – with whom she also shares a son named Moses – around the dinner table.
The granddaughter of the legendary screen star Sophia Loren, Lucia Ponti made her big debut on the social scene in style.
Lucia, a student at Brown University, lives in Los Angeles with her famous family. She was dressed Armani, one of her grandmother’s friends in a nod to her heritage. Her date was also Italian; Count Alberico di Carpegna Brivio walked her down the runway.
Sophie Kodjoe is the daughter of And Just Like That… star Nicole Ari Parker. While both her parents are models and actors, the youngster has no firm career plans yet.
She divides her time between Ghana, Germany and the US. Her galant date was Toussaint Pierre-Vargas, who comes from the USA/Brasil.
The sole royal member of the line-up this year, HRH Princess Eugenia de Borbon Vargas put on a playful display during the catwalk presentation.
Accompanied by H.I.R.H. Archduke of Austria Karl-Konstantin Habsburg-Lothringen of Hungary, the princess looked gorgeous in a pastel blue strapless dress designed by Carolina Herrera. She wore a glittering heirloom tiara to highlight her royal roots.
Vargas is Spanish, the daughter of HRH Prince Luis Alfonso, Duc d’Anjou, who would be in line for the French throne if the monarchy hadn’t been abolished.
Olivia Meijer
Holland-born Olivia Meijer Albada looked gorgeous in a glittering strapless design, adorning herself in sparkling diamonds. Her date for the evening was Antonius Meijer, her brother.
Her family is known for their work in real estate and wine – they own the French vineyard Chateau Giscours. They live in Athens but Olivia is studying in Madrid.
Ella Yam opted for a resplendent red ruffled dress with a mullet hem for her big moment in the spotlight. Arriving on the arm of Harris Husain from Pakistan, all eyes were on her in her Giambattista Valli couture, which she described as a “dream come true”.
Ella’s parents are the actor Hong Kong Simon Yam and the model Qiqi Fei. The starlet combines her studies at the London School of Economics with a modelling career.
British debs Oona Finch’s name might be familiar. That’s because the London-based socialite is the granddaughter of iconic actor Peter Finch.
Dressed in an elegant Chanel design with a frothy tulle skirt paired with dazzling drop earrings, she arrived arm-in-arm with Count Ascanio di Carpegna Brivio, who comes from Italy.
Mina Muniz Tschape looked ravishing in a puffball bridal-white designer by Gaultier Paris. Her dashing cavalier Zhining Zhao from China, planted a kiss on her hand as they entered the ballroom.
She is the daughter of Vicente Muiz and Janaina Tschape, both artists from Brazil. Not just a beautiful face, she hopes to become a scientist.
Wearing the most daring of all the ball’s looks, Isabel De Poligny made a big statement in Stephane Rolland as she arrived alongside Count Nicolas de Poligny. She stood out from the crowd in a black silk bustier top topped with a topaz necklace and a very low-waited satin skirt adorned with a silver buckle.
Isabel comes from Argentina and is of French descent. She is following in her family’s footsteps by pursuing a passion for art, studying at the prestigious Courtauld Institute in London in the hopes of becoming a curator.
Wearing a princess-style Elie Saab couture number, Rysa Panday was a vision on the arm of Maarish Hinduja. The stunning dress boasted intricate gold and lace embroidery and a corseted bodice.
Her father and sister are Bollywood actors but Rysa is aspiring to have a career combining film and fashion.
Madelyn Netto ensured all eyes were on her in a scarlet satin George Hobeika dress. The daughter of interior designer David Netto grew up between the West and the East Coast of the US and is now studying in Scotland.
She was accompanied by William Dejoux, who hails from the States.
Sofía Yadigaroglu was loving her moment in the spotlight alongside her date, Konstantinos Manos of Greece. Wearing a shimmering black Iris van Herpen design with a floor-skimming train, the New York-based beauty played up for the cameras.
Her mother, Inma Barrero, is a renowned artist from southern Spain while her father is Greek of Byzantine and Swiss descent, and is passionate about climate change.
Le Bal des Débutantes 2024
This year’s debutantes and their cavaliers revealed…
Lucia Ponti & Cavalier: Count Alberico di Carpegna Brivio
Oona Finch & Cavalier: Count Ascanio di Carpegna Brivio
Madelyn Netto & Cavalier: William Dejoux
H.R.H Princess Eugenia de Bourbon & Cavalier: H.I.R.H. Archduke of Austria Karl-Konstantin Habsburg-Lothringen
Aliénor Loppin de Montmart & Cavalier: Count Rodolphe de Hemricourt Grunne
Rysa Panday & Cavalier: Maarish Hinduja
Ella Yam & Cavalier: Harris Husain
Apollonie Halard & Cavalier: Gabriel de Kergorlay
Cornelia Manou & Cavalier: Leon Manos
Sofía Yadigaroglu & Cavalier: Konstantinos Manos
Olivia Meijer & Cavalier: Antonius Meijer
Marilia Vamvakidi & Cavalier: Prince Alexis Obolensky
Peyton Spaht & Cavalier: H.R.H Prince Constantin d’Orléans
Sophie Kodjoe & Cavalier: Toussaint Pierre-Vargas
Isabel de Poligny & Cavalier: Count Nicolas de Poligny
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