The famed Le Bal Des Débutantes returned this year for its 25th edition with the high caliber of heiresses, aristocrats and celebrities’ offspring. Organised annually by PR maven Ophélie Renouard, it was hosted at The Peninsula in Paris for the second time in a row (the Hotel de Crillon used to be its original venue).
Le Bal is, to the girls who attend it, a princess-experience way of entering the world of high society as well as media and couture, as each high-powered, image-savvy and well-connected young woman makes her appearance in bespoke gowns from some of the world’s most renowned fashion houses.
It is also a night of philanthropy, as Renouard donates the night’s entire proceedings to two charities: the New York City-based Seleni Institute, which supports the reproductive and mental health of teen mothers, and Enfants d'Asie, which promotes the education of young girls in Southeast Asia.
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The soiree took place last Saturday night (November 25), with 22 brilliant debs lighting up the ballroom of The Peninsula. Here are eight of the most noteworthy:
1. Alice Ho, Hong Kong
Who is she: Hong Kong-born Alice was the only deb from Asia and our very own city. The youngest daughter of tycoon Stanley Ho, she is currently enrolled at MIT, where she is studying math, computer science and “a few other nerdy subjects,” as she told us. She donned a dreamy Dior gown. Also, we’re pretty sure she was the one who started the Debs Whatsapp group chat. Media-savvy she is.
Overheard: “I am thrilled to be part of Le Bal. It gives us girls a way to sparkle, and we sure deserve that.”