Inside exclusive ‘nepo baby’ ball: Ava Phillippe and Lily Collins at Le Bal Des Debutantes in throwback photos
- Le Bal Des Debutantes is an exclusive debutante ball held annually in Paris
- The extravagant event gives young women from high society the opportunity to make their debut
- Previous A-listers include Lily Collins and Ava Phillippe
You could be forgiven for thinking that the sea of beautiful haute couture dresses and dazzling accessories is preparing for a chic awards ceremony – but it’s actually the annual Le Bal des Débutantes.
This year’s extravagant event, which will be held in Paris on November 30, will see young women from some of the prestigious – and wealthiest – families from Europe, Asia, Africa and the US make their debut into society.
Each deb, who comes from upper class or aristocratic families, is accompanied by a cavalier, a young man who accompanies her as she presents herself to society.
Every year Le Bal sees between 20 and 25 debs, including some familiar faces.
The dazzling royals include the Prince of Wales’s cousins, Lady Kitty Spencer and Lady Amelia Windsor.
It’s not just royalty who are dressing to impress at the chic event, with some Hollywood names even traveling to Paris for the event.
Unearthed photos show former debs dressed to impress, like Lily Collins, 35, who made her debut in 2007, accompanied by now Tatler editor Richard Dennen.
The Emily In Paris star, the daughter of singer Phil Collins and Jill Tavelman, wore a beautiful haute couture dress by Chanel.
Lily Collins, 35, who made her debut in 2007, joined by now Tatler editor Richard Dennen
The beautiful dress featured intricate embellishments, feathers, an understated satin bow and an asymmetrical hemline.
She accessorized with satin peep-toe heels and beautiful earrings adorned with three flowers.
Her hair was curled and tied in a ponytail.
In 2019, Lily posted some photos from the prom and shared a photo from the event.
‘THT debutante darling! All dressed up for the Crillon Ball with @richarddennen and ready to dance into the weekend…’ she wrote.
The actress made her debut alongside a distant relative of King Charles, Lady Tatiana Mountbatten, and jewelry designer and heiress Tansy Aspinall.
Lily isn’t the only A-list name to make her social debut at Le Bal.
In 2017, Ava Phillippe, the daughter of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe, attended the exclusive event.
In 2017, Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe’s daughter Ava Phillippe attended the exclusive event
The 25-year-old wore a stunning Giambattista Valli Haute Couture dress, with her blonde hair in loose waves that fell past her shoulders.
The stunning dress featured a princess-style skirt and long sleeves, with Ava wearing one ring on her finger.
She was accompanied by polo player, Maharaja of Jaipur Padmanabh Singh.
Ava later reflected on her experience on Instagram, writing, “Wow! I’m so glad I had the opportunity to meet so many beautiful, friendly, supportive and passionate young women (and men!) at Le Bal.”
This year’s A-list includes Sophia Loren’s granddaughter, Lucia Ponti.