His participation was kept secret until the last minute. Or almost. The day before the big ball, Apple Martin was seen, with Gwyneth Paltrow, shopping at the jewelers on Place Vendôme. It was then rumored that mother and daughter were passing through Paris not only to do their Christmas shopping…
For several months, Ophélie Renouard – director of the Ball since 1994 – hoped that her invitation would not remain a dead letter. The casting of this evening, which has become an institution, does not give in to improvisation in any way. It must respond to a perfect mix between well-born young women – this year, a princess and a countess – those deserving who shine through their commitments, and a few others, daughters or granddaughters of celebrities. Enough to bring its share of Hollywood glamor to the event.
Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin together
This 2024 class was not lacking, with Lucia Ponti, descendant of Sophia Loren, Rysa Panday, daughter and sister of superstars of Indian cinema, or even Oona Finch, granddaughter of actor Peter Finch. They all look superb in dresses made by the greatest designers, whose tulles, embroidery and taffeta still make you believe in fairy tales.
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Apple Martin (Valentino) and John Nollet – Le Bal 2024 at the Shangri-La Paris hotel on November 30, 2024
Bestimage / © Le Bal / Borde / Moreau /
Apple Martin doesn't need a long tail so that all we see is her. In her Valentino Haute Couture dress, with clean lines, she is the star of the evening. Her entire family made the trip for the occasion, starting with her two parents, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, separated since 2014. Her brother, Moses, 18, is also present. He encourages Apple a few minutes before the debutante parade: “you are magnificent!” », he whispers to her.
Stéphane Bern, master of ceremonies
Microphone in hand, decorations in his buttonhole and perpetual smile, Stéphane Bern remains faithful to the position of master of ceremonies: “I don't even know how long I've been doing this. Maybe 25 or 26 years old… What is certain is that I have known debutantes who are coming back today with their daughter. »
Her Royal Highness Princess Eugénie de Bourbon is the first to pass between the tables, on the arm of her cavalier and cousin, Archduke Karl-Konstantin of Hasbourg-Lorraine, a regular at the Ball. Pride can be seen in the eyes of his father, Louis de Bourbon, Duke of Anjou and pretender to the French throne. For him, this event is not archaic. On the contrary, it remains an essential step in the transition from childhood to adulthood.
Certainly, these nineteen beauties are not just coming out of the convent – as was the case in the past – and no longer need this raout to make their “entrance into the world”. They have social networks for this. So, the Ball knew how to adapt to the times. It supports charitable causes: this edition raises funds for ARCFA (Association for Research in Cardiology from Fetal to Adult) and for the Maria Fareri Children's Hospital. And above all, it lets young women express their personality.
Waltz time
Thus, Isabel Quirot de Poligny dares an almost rock'n'roll dress, signed Stéphane Rolland, which reveals her navel, while Aliénor Loppin de Montmort – countess by profession – tries out a lift worthy of “Dirty Dancing” with his rider, Count Rodolphe de Hemricourt de Grunne, during his parade.
Midnight is about to strike when dinner ends. These new generation Cinderellas will now have to waltz. The day before, they rehearsed this moment, so as not to trip in front of the dozens of photographers crowding around the improvised dance floor in one of the lounges of the Shangri-La hotel.
To a tune by Strauss – what else? – Sophie Kodjoe turns heads, on the arm of her father, German actor Boris Kodjoe, seen in “Grey’s Anatomy”. They simply have class. Chris Martin takes his role seriously, facing Apple, chin high, head posture elegant, as he was taught. After a few laps – taking care not to trample on their neighbors, the space is small – the fathers leave their place to the riders. The leader of Coldplay pats the German count on the back, with the hair of Prince Charming, who has the chance to escort his daughter, before taking part in the game of selfies with a few guests who were eager to ask him.
Gwyneth Paltrow, for her part, politely slips away, while the music becomes more contemporary. Some debutantes take off their high heels to wiggle their hips to Abba and Rihanna. Like every year, the party will continue at the Arc, a chic nightclub near the Champs-Élysées. Until early morning.
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