Inside Le Bal des Débutantes, the world’s most luxe debutante ball

The belles of the ball.

While most people were indulging in Thanksgiving leftovers or scoring online sales this past Saturday, 19 It-girls from around the world decked out in couture gowns and diamonds more expensive than most people’s annual salaries were attending the prestigious Le Bal des Débutantes, also known as Le Bal, at the Shangri-La Paris hotel in Paris, France.

Every year, approximately 20 daughters, usually aged 16 to 22, of diverse backgrounds and highfalutin families, are hand-picked to attend the invite-only event, which has been organized by French public relations executive Ophélie Renouard since 1994, to make their debut into high society.

Although their aristocratic families could certainly afford to, there’s no way for a young woman to buy her way into Le Bal, as attendees are formally invited while at an organized lunch with their mothers and grandmothers.

This year’s VIP party, which is now jokingly referred to as the “nepo baby Met Gala,” had a who’s who type of guest list, including 19-year-old Bronwyn Vance, the daughter of actors Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance; 18-year-old Lady Araminta Spencer-Churchill, the distant cousin of Princess Diana; 21-year-old Carolina Lansing, the granddaughter of designer Carolina Herrera, and 18-year-old Reagan Sacks, the daughter of David Sacks, chairman of President Trump’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

These young movers and shakers of the world join Le Bal alums, Margaret Qualley, Lily Collins, Lori Harvey and Apple Martin, to name a few.

The distinguished event for the 1 percent is a modern version of the debutante ball that dates back to the 18th century.

The snooty party, this year hosted by French journalist and radio host Stéphane Bern, still honors tradition by having each of the participants dressed in haute couture and lavish jewelry, accompanied by their escorts, strut before their families.

But these days, under Renouard’s guidance, Le Bal’s purpose is also to raise money for reputable charities that help young women.

This year’s proceeds went to the Association for Cardiology Research from Fetus to Adult at Necker Hospital in Paris, and to its counterpart in New York, Maria Fareri Hospital.

Laurent Perrier champagne, the luxury DESSANGE international salon chain and designer Carolina Herrera were some of this year’s deep-pocket sponsors.