There is nothing that screams old-world glamour quite like a debutante ball – from the lavish gowns, and the strict etiquette, to the escorts by the ladies’ sides, it’s a singular experience that leaves a lasting impression.
For any Bridgerton fans, you’ll likely recognise the long-standing tradition of a young woman being ‘presented’ to society in order to find a husband; nowadays, the event is much more modern and instead focuses on philanthropy and fostering social connections. However, events like Le Bal in Paris remain invite-only for the best of the upper echelons.
Apple Martin, eldest daughter of Gwyneth Paltrow and Coldplay rocker Chris Martin, stunned at the Parisian event in a blue gown earlier this month, but she is by no means the first famous face to be presented as a debutante.
Events like Le Bal have ushered into society everyone from actresses and designers to future politicians and our favourite nepo babies. Join HELLO! as we unearth the pick of this illustrious crop…
Brenda Frazier
Brenda debuted in 1938 amidst a media frenzy
This list could only begin with the most famous debutante ever – Brenda Frazier. The young heiress made her societal debut at a time when celebrity journalism was flourishing, and the US people’s obsession with the wealthy and glamorous was at its peak amid the hardships of the Great Depression.
Everyday folks needed an escape from their lives, and who better to look to than the striking heiress of a shipping and real estate empire?
Brenda’s 1938 debutante ball was covered by The New York Times, and hundreds of society elites attended the party held at the Ritz-Carlton. She even appeared on the cover of Life magazine ahead of the event.
Everything about Brenda symbolised the end of the golden age of debutante balls, as just a year later, the world would be plunged into another horrific war.
Her debut and the subsequent media frenzy around her was not easy, though; she told Life magazine in 1963 that her mother had forced her into the position at just 17 and made her feel like a “fad”. Nonetheless, she was the golden-age equivalent of Paris Hilton and set the stage for debutantes to come.
Apple Martin
Apple debuted at Le Bal in 2024
Gwyneth Paltrow’s only daughter was the talk of the town this 2024 debutante season after she donned a show-stopping strapless blue custom Alessandro Michele gown, looking like the spitting image of her mother. The dress featured a black bow on the bodice and structured ruffles cascading down the skirt.
By her side at Le Bal’s event were Gwyneth, her father Chris Martin, her brother Moses, and her grandmother, acting icon Blythe Danner.
The 20-year-old was escorted by Count Leo Henckel and shared a sweet father-daughter dance with Chris on the night, while her mother looked on proudly.
Lily Collins
Lily wore Chanel haute couture for her debutante ball
Long before she portrayed an American transplant in the City of Love in Emily in Paris, Lily Collins was the bell of the 2007 debutante ball, where she debuted alongside royalty and heiresses alike.
The actress sported a beautiful feathered Chanel haute couture gown for the Le Bal event and was escorted by Richard Dennen, who went on to become the editor of Tatler.
For Lily, the event was a new and exciting experience away from the flashiness of Los Angeles, where she grew up after her mother divorced her father, Genesis rocker Phil Collins.
“The idea of a traditional ball in a modern-day setting is cool, I think, and an awesome way of making new friends,” she told Tatler at the time.
She paid homage to the night 12 years later with an Instagram post, writing, “#TBT debutante baby! All dressed up for the Crillon Ball with @richarddennen and ready to dance into the weekend…” alongside snaps of her dancing the night away.
Ava Phillippe
Ava was escorted by Maharaja Padmanabh Singh, member of the royal family of Jaipur
Reese Witherspoon’s lookalike daughter debuted in 2017 at Le Bal in Paris and was accompanied by her mother at the lavish event. She donned a gold Giambattista Valli haute couture gown, and was escorted by expert polo player and member of the Jaipur royal family, Maharaja Padmanabh Singh.
“Wow! I am so thrilled to have had the opportunity to meet so many beautiful, kind, supportive, and passionate young women (and men!) at Le Bal,” she wrote on Instagram after the event.
Ava explained that she enjoyed supporting various charities at the philanthropic ball before adding, “Last week felt like a dream, and I am so grateful to have so many beautiful memories from this adventure. Thank you to all involved!”
Lucia Ponti
Lucia received some sage advice from her grandmother, Sophia Loren
Lucia is the granddaughter of one of the all-time acting greats, Sophia Loren. She was joined at the 2024 Le Bal by her parents, Edoardo Ponti and Sasha Alexander, as well as her cavalier, Count Alberico di Carpegna Brivio.
Lucia wore a stunning strapless Armani gown for the event with delicate detailing and a striped grey and white design. Speaking to Vogue ahead of the event, the 18-year-old explained why the annual event was so meaningful for her.
“It is inspiring to be part of a platform that highlights and supports charitable causes that I deeply appreciate, as well as honouring tradition and the multitude of women who have gone before me,” she said.
As for if the iconic Sophia Loren had any advice ahead of her debut? “My grandmother only told me that I have to prioritise being myself above all else,” Lucia added.
Margaret Qualley
Margaret made her debut in 2012, six years after her older sister
The Substance star debuted at Le Bal in 2012, wearing a golden Elie Saab Couture gown. “It’s so extravagant,” she told Teen Vogue at the time.
“I tend to wear big cosy sweaters with jeans and vintage boots,” Margaret added, before describing her style as “grandma chic” – a far cry from the luxury required for the annual Parisian event.
Margaret debuted six years after her older sister, Rainey; they are the daughters of Four Weddings and a Funeral actress Andie MacDowell. She attended the ball with her cavalier, Count Filippo Emo Capodilista of Italy.
Billie Lourd
Billie donned Chanel haute couture for the occasion
The Booksmart actress made her debut in 2008 dressed in black and gold Chanel haute couture; she was accompanied by Adam Stewart Maltz for the occasion.
As the only child of the late Star Wars legend Carrie Fisher, Billie attended the famous Le Bal alongside another notable nepo baby, Scout Willis, who counts Bruce Willis and Demi Moore as her parents.
Scout and Tallulah Willis
Scout and Tallulah made their debut three years apart
Demi and Bruce’s middle child debuted in 2008, sporting a one-shouldered haute couture gown by Christian Lacroix. Scout’s father chaperoned her at the event, and cavalier Edouard de Bernis accompanied her.
Just three years later, her younger sister, Tallulah, debuted alongside Margaret Qualley. Bruce sweetly chaperoned his daughter at the event, just like he did for Scout.
Demi’s youngest daughter wore a black strapless gown from Lanvin for the party, looking every inch the diamond of the season.
Vera Wang
Vera was the first Chinese person to be presented at the International Debutante Ball
Before Vera was one of the most celebrated designers in the fashion industry, she was making her debut at the International Debutante Ball in New York.
“The whole idea of a debutante affair is for a girl to be presented who is available for dating,” the designer explained to The New York Times. The 1968 event saw Vera as the first Chinese woman to be presented at the ball at just 19 years old.
As the daughter of a United Nations translator and a pharmaceutical company owner, she was familiar with the elites of Manhattan and so fit right in at the lavish ceremony.
Tricia Nixon
Tricia went on to marry her debutante ball escort
A debutante ball comes custom-built for a politician’s child, as they can be formally introduced to the elite society through which their parents move every day.
Tricia Nixon was no exception, as the daughter of US President Richard Nixon; she blossomed at the International Debutante Ball in 1964, wearing a Priscilla of Boston gown.
Her mother, Pat, spoke to The New York Times about the pageantry of the event. “I feel as if I’m back in school again,” she said at the time. “I used to teach school, you know, and we used to put on all kinds of productions.”
The giggling debutante was escorted by none other than her future husband, Edward Cox; they went on to marry seven years later.
BY KATIE FITZPATRICK
