This past Saturday evening, the historic Shangri-La Hotel in Paris, with its breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower, played host to one of the world's most exclusive social events: Le Bal des Débutantes. Nineteen young women, aged between 17 and 22, made their formal entrance into high society, marking a glamorous tradition that continues to captivate.
A Modern Sisterhood Takes Centre Stage
While the origins of debutante balls lie in presenting aristocratic young women to potential suitors, the 2025 iteration of Le Bal painted a decidedly modern picture. The prevailing theme was one of friendship and solidarity among the participants. Days before the main event, the families flew into the French capital, allowing the debutantes to bond during dance rehearsals and while selecting diamond jewellery from V Muse.
"I am so excited for the ball tomorrow night! I can't wait to get ready with the girls and then put on the dresses and dance with everyone," Eulalia de Orleans-Borbón told Madame Figaro ahead of the event. This sentiment was echoed widely, with the group quickly forming close friendships, documented in joyful Instagram videos set to pop anthems by Adele and Rihanna.
Fashion and Heirlooms Under the Spotlight
The sartorial display was nothing short of spectacular, featuring creations from the world's most prestigious fashion houses. Each gown told a story, often intertwined with family history.
Eulalia de Orleans-Borbón, the 19-year-old daughter of businessman Álvaro de Orleans-Borbón and goddaughter of former King Juan Carlos, wore a champagne-coloured design by Tony Ward. She was escorted by British royal Albert Windsor, grandson of the Duke and Duchess of Kent.
Gabrielle Janssens de Balkany made a stunning impression in a Luisa Beccaria gown, accessorised with a magnificent Belle Epoque diamond and sapphire tiara and a sapphire necklace once belonging to her grandmother, Queen Maria José of Italy.
Meanwhile, Princess Isabelle de Orleans chose a delicate light pink Antonio Grimaldi dress, allowing her breathtaking Princess d'Orléans Tiara—crafted by Garrard around 1905 and containing over 1,000 diamonds—to command attention.
Diverse Legacies on Display
The guest list represented a global tapestry of legacy, from European royalty to industry scions.
Lady Araminta Spencer-Churchill, an 18-year-old accomplished equestrian and distant cousin of both Princess Diana and Winston Churchill, wore a "quietly powerful" 2007 Armani Privé gown. Ruby Kemper, 20-year-old granddaughter of MGM's former owner Kirk Kerkorian, made her debut in a pale pink Chrome Hearts dress with her name stitched on the label.
Bronwyn Vance, daughter of Hollywood stars Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance, chose an angelic Stephane Rolland gown and was accompanied by her twin brother, Slater. "My cavalier is my brother, he's my twin brother, and he's my best friend," she explained, highlighting the event's shift towards personal choice.
Other notable debutantes included:
- Carolina Lansing, granddaughter of designer Carolina Herrera, in a Wes Gordon polka-dot gown.
- Sarah Bae, the first Korean American debutante at Le Bal and daughter of KKR co-CEO Joseph Bae, in Oscar de la Renta.
- Ella Wadia, descendant of Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in an Elie Saab gold gown.
A Night of Celebration and New Beginnings
At 10 p.m., the ceremony commenced. Each debutante was announced to a room filled with proud families, business leaders, and aristocrats. After the formal presentations, the night transformed into a celebration, with the young women dancing to hits from Dua Lipa and the Spice Girls.
The event proved that while Le Bal remains a glittering portal into a rarefied world of tradition and luxury, its heart now beats to a rhythm of contemporary camaraderie and individual expression, firmly establishing a new chapter for this centuries-old ritual.
