The dazzling Parisian hotel Shangri-La – former residence of Prince Roland Bonaparte – hosted the famous Debutante Ball on Saturday, November 30. An unmissable evening for the elite, it brought together some 19 young women from high society from the four corners of the planet. 30th anniversary requires, this edition had a particular importance.
The young women who won the prestigious invitation arrived on the arms of their riders. Frills, trains, tiaras and diamonds, the place took on the air of an Haute Couture fashion show. And for good reason, every year, a renowned fashion house is responsible for making a dress for each of these young ladies.
A few “granddaughters of” had slipped onto the guest list. Among them, Lucia-Sofia Ponti, granddaughter of the Italian actress Sophia Loren and dressed in Armani – the designer having been friends with her famous grandmother, or even Oona Finchgranddaughter of the British-Australian actor Peter Finchdressed in Chanel. Angel Zhangdaughter of the Chinese director Zhang Yimou, Ella Yamdaughter of the Hong Kong actor Simon Yam or even the princess Eugenie de Bourbondaughter of the prince Luis AlfonsoDuke of Anjou and pretender to the French throne were there.
The Debutantes and their riders.
Apple, the daughter of Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, at the Debutante Ball
But the most famous “daughter of” was undoubtedly Apple Martin (20 years old), the daughter of American actress Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martinsinger of the group Coldplay. The young woman – in a Valentino dress and blurred bun – made a surprise arrival on the arm of her date Leo Cosima Henckel con Donnersmarck. His entry was applauded with energy by his parents, his grandmother Blythe Danner as well as his brother Moses (18 years old). The musician later took advantage of the evening to treat himself to a dance with his daughter.
The Debutantes and their parents.
Like every year, the evening, consisting of a dinner followed by a ball, raised funds for the Association for Research in Cardiology from Fetus to Adults (ARCFA). Founded in 2001 by surgeons from the Necker-Enfants Malades university hospital in Paris, its mission is to launch appeals for donations to improve the quality of care.
