Inside the ‘nepo baby Débutant ball’: Well-heeled young women including Apple Martin, Sophia Loren’s granddaughter and children of the French nobility – don designer gowns for society debut in Paris

As the daughter of Gwyneth Paltrow, Apple Martin will have attended her fair share of glamorous Hollywood parties in her 20 years.

But the prestigious Les Bal des Débutantes, which the aspiring model attended on Saturday evening, will almost certainly have been a cut above the rest.

This annual event, first held at the Palace of Versailles in 1958, introduces twenty young ladies from some of the world’s most important families into society.

This year’s event was held at the five-star Shangri-La hotel, where rooms cost $1,000 a night, with proceeds going to the city’s Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital.

For their introduction to high society, the debutantes, who were hand-picked by the organizers, wore designer ball gowns from some of the world’s top fashion houses, including Chanel, Valentino and Oscar de la Renta.

For the event, Apple Martin wore a custom baby blue strapless dress, which took 750 hours to make and was designed by Alessandro Michele, Valentino’s creative director.

After descending the hotel’s grand marble staircase, the debutantes left the room, which was filled with proud parents and noble families, before waltzing onto the dance floor with their dates.

However, Chris Martin’s daughter, whose date was Austro-Hungarian aristocrat Leo Cosima Henckel von Donnersmarck, was not the only debutante at the ball with a Hollywood connection.

On Saturday evening, Sophia Loren’s granddaughter Lucia Sofia Ponti, who lives in Los Angeles, also made her grand entrance into society.

At the glamorous event, Lucia – who studies at Brown University – was accompanied by her date, Count Alberico di Carpegna Brivio, who is descended from Italian nobility.

Following in her grandmother’s footsteps, Lucia opted for a strapless, tiered ball gown by Giorgio Armani.

The Italian designer had a close working relationship with Sophia Loren during the height of her fame – and the Hollywood icon even wore a custom-made Armani suit for her 90th birthday in September.

Speak with Hello! Before the ball, Lucia explained, “My grandmother always believed in timeless elegance and the importance of wearing something that reflects your true personality.

“Growing up, she taught me the value of simplicity, tailoring and always adding a touch of originality to your outfit.”

Countess Alienor Loppin de Montmort – the only debutante of French descent to attend the event – also took style inspiration from her grandmother ahead of the ball.

The young aristocrat wore a haute couture dress by Emmanuel Ungaro, which first belonged to her grandmother Myriam Laffon.

Meanwhile, Sophie Kodjoe – the daughter of And Just Like That’s Nicole Ari Parker – was elegant in a purple Oscar de la Renta dress, decorated with appliqué flowers.

Fellow debutante Sofia Yadigaroglu wore a glittering dress by Dutch designer Iris van Herpen.

The Amherst College student is the daughter of renowned Spanish artist Inma Barrero. Her father is Greek of Byzantine and Swiss descent.

Sienna Gallienne, the granddaughter of Belgian businessman Albert Frere, chose a Dior dress for the occasion. She was accompanied by date Beltran Remiro Imaz, from Spain.

Cornelia Manou looked beautiful in a crystal-embellished dress by Greek designer Celia Kritarioti.

Alienor Loppin de Montmort, who comes from an aristocratic family with Argentinian descent, chose a dress from the French fashion house Emanuel Ungaro.

Isabel Quirot de Poligny, of Argentinian and French descent, chose a daring outfit by French fashion designer Stephane Rolland.

The aspiring curator, who is currently a student at London’s Courtauld Institute, paired a black bustier top with a cream satin skirt with a diamond-encrusted buckle.

Rysa Panday is the sister of famous Indian actress Rysa Panday. Their father is the actor Chunky Panday.

She was dressed in an ethereal dress from Lebanese label Elie Saab.

Born in the Netherlands, Olivia Meijer is the daughter of an influential Athens-based family leading in real estate and wine. They own the French vineyard Chateau Giscours.

Olivia, a student at IE University in Madrid, wore a beautiful lilac dress by Italian designer Luisa Beccaria.

The first debutante ball was held at the Palace of Versailles in 1958 and was revived in 1992. However, the debutante balls date back to the 1780s.

They served the purpose of introducing young women from the world’s most prominent families into society – thereby suggesting that they were ready to enter the marriage market.

The young women taking part in Les Bal des Débutantes in Paris are chosen by organizers based on their achievements and their family’s legacy before being paired with ‘cavaliers’, young men from equally privileged backgrounds.

While it has never been publicly revealed which university Apple Martin attends, or even what she is studying, many believe she is currently at Vanderbilt University studying English and Law, History and Society.

However, many people were shocked by her behavior after a video emerged of her stealing the spotlight from another girl who was in the photo.

The other debutante was seen posing for the camera in turn as Martin appeared from behind and came into view.

Martin posed with her hands on her hips and pushed her way into the frame, forcing the other girl out.

The debutante could do nothing but watch with an awkward smile as Martin pouted and posed for several photos.