COMING OF AGEYou might think the age of the aristocratic marriage market is long gone, and you’d be right, but not that of the debutante ball. Melissa Twigg meets a cohort of glamorous young women with a lot more than marriage on their mindsPhotography Tim GriffiThs

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W ho’d have thought a debutante ball would be a hotbed of feminism? Traditionally, these glittering events were designed to introduce well-born young women into society to attract suitable husbands, so they weren’t exactly the apex of equality and female empowerment. But try telling that to the 19 young women who recently made their debuts in Paris at le Bal des Débutantes, a glamorous group of lawyers, doctors, journalists, and actresses all possessed of a sense of destiny and a desire to play a role in changing the world.

“Oh, I definitely think it’s feminist. It’s about celebrating female talent—and we all care more about what we’re doing professionally or educationally than the way we look. And it’s just fun,” said True Whitaker, a willowy American journalism student who opened the night’s dancing with her father, Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker, in the ornate ballroom of the Shangri-La Hotel, Paris. Le Bal, as it’s known, was a delicious spectacle to witness. Earlier, standing in the ballroom a few hours before True and her confrères were to be presented to Parisian society, my eyes drank in the old-world beauty of the venue and the lavishly dressed young women whose lace, velvet, and silk skirts were strewn across the Louis XV furniture on which they were posing, looking for all the world as if they had just fallen out of a fairy tale.

Rather than seeking Prince Charming, though, these beautiful women had more on their minds than boys, brands, and beauty products. They had spent the whole afternoon discussing modern politics. But more than their gold-plated CVs, political awareness, and multilingual skill, I was impressed by how generous they were with one another. Women have been taught for centuries to eye each other up as potential competition. In covering similar events in the past, I have seen how this can quickly turn to infighting, and I have no doubt that had I been a deb at 18, I would have been anxiously wondering whether I was as pretty and slim as my peers.

There was none of that when these debutantes gathered at the Shangri-La, formerly the Palais Iéna, built in 1896 as the home of Prince Roland Bonaparte. Instead, throughout their preparation, training, and photo shoots, the women kept stopping to admire one another’s clothes and to teach each other poses, keeping up a non-stop stream of easy compliments.

At one point, the wonderfully confident Julia McCaw, daughter of US telecoms tycoon Craig McCaw, attempted a ballet-like pose on a mantelpiece, one slender leg hanging precariously in the air as her Giambattista Valli gown floated around her. Half the girls were in hysterics, while the other half were documenting the moment in awe, with at least five shots uploaded to separate Instagram accounts. Envy, it seems, has gone the way of CD players and Blockbuster.

It is hard to look at these beautiful young women in their haute couture gowns and not long to spend a day in their designer shoes. Since le Bal des Débutantes was launched in 1992 by the French PR maven Ophélie Renouard, it has become the most coveted gala of its kind among the daughters of European aristocrats, Asian tycoons, and American business and showbiz types. A number of debutante balls take place around the world, from Queen Charlotte’s Ball in London to the Vienna Opera Ball, but le Bal remains the pinnacle.

This is partly because it is strictly by invitation only, and it’s the only one that requires debutantes to don couture gowns—with the debs and designers matched by Ophélie—paired with jewellery by Payal New York. Add to that the old-world style of Parisian palaces like the Shangri-La, and you’ve got the kind of party that drowns its guests in glamour and gossip.

The event also raises money for two charities that support women, continuing the feminist theme. Participating families are asked to make donations to the Seleni Institute, a non-profit organisation that helps women and teenage mothers deal with mental health issues, and Enfants d’Asie, a humanitarian association that promotes the education of girls and women in South East Asia.

On their big night in the Shangri-La’s stunning ballroom, where the gilt mirrors and Louis XV furniture battled for the limelight with vases overflowing with pink peonies, the young women shone. Presented by radio and television host Stéphane Bern, they wended their way confidently and elegantly through the tables on the arms of handsome cavaliers.

The 19 debutantes came from eight countries, reflecting the diversity of the new global elite. Mainland China’s Annabel Yao, a 21-year-old Harvard computer science student and ballerina, is the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei. “All the girls were down-to-earth and friendly. No one was pretentious,” said Annabel, who was dressed in pale pink J Mendel on the night. “All of them attended top universities like Stanford, Brown, and Columbia, so it’s a group of girls who are privileged but also work really hard.”

“All the girls were down-to-earth and friendly. All of them attended top universities, so it’s a group of girls who are privileged but also work really hard”

—Annabel Yao

IN GOOD COMPANY Marine Depaz, Kayla Uytengsu, Julia McCaw, True Whitaker and Elizabeth Terrien on the rooftop of the Shangri-La Paris; (Previous spread) Marine Depaz (France) wearing Guo Pei, Kayla Uytengsu (Philippines) wearing Antonio Grimaldi, Julia McCaw (US) wearing Giambattista Valli, Anna Pei (US) wearing Emmanuel Ungaro, Maria do Carmo Calem (Portugal) wearing João Rôlo, Aria Mehta (India) wearing Georges Hobeika, Hermine de Hemricourt de

Grunne (Belgium) wearing Christophe Josse, Annabel Yao (Mainland China) wearing J Mendel, Juliet James Gordy (US) wearing Elie Saab, Ludmilla von Oppenheim (Germany) wearing Stéphane Rolland, Angel Lee (Hong Kong) wearing Dorian Ho, Ananya Raje Scindia (India) wearing Lecoanet Hemant, Shloka Birla (India) wearing Manish Malhotra, True Whitaker (US) wearing Gaultier Paris, and Gabrielle de Pourtalès (France) wearing Christian Dior

A NIGht tO reMeMber(Clockwise from left) Kerri and Fred Uytengsu; Aria Mehta, Annabel Yao, and Angel Lee; Anna Pei, Count Rufus d’Hauteville, and Julia McCaw pose with the Renault; (opposite, clockwise from top left) Hermine de Hemricourt de Grunne and Bella Kaplan; Elizabeth Starling Louis wearing Ralph and Russo Couture; Angel Lee crosses the ballroom; Ophélie Renouard with this year’s cavaliers; Gabrielle de Pourtalès

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Flying the flag for Hong Kong was Angel Lee, a University of Hong Kong student whose father is Robert Lee, an avid art collector with a keen eye for 18th- and 19th-century French and Italian pieces. “This is my first time in Europe, and what a way to experience it,” said Angel, who was wearing a delicate pale blue Dorian Ho dress as she took the arm of her cavalier, Edouard Lanvin of the famous French couture family. “I am so proud to be here representing Hong Kong. It is such a privilege. I want all my new friends from le Bal to come and visit Hong Kong.”

One firm friend in the making was Gabrielle de Pourtalès from France. Her aristocratic family might have fled the French Revolution, but this young beauty in Dior had not the slightest hint of hauteur, chatting enthusiastically about her job in Hong Kong, where she promotes the wines of Bordeaux. Her ancestors had probably known those of another descendant of aristocracy present, Ludmilla von Oppenheim, a law student from Germany who lives in London and switches smoothly between four languages as she talks to her new friends.

Also from Asia was Kayla Uytengsu, the daughter of Alaska Milk Corp CEO Wilfred Steven Uytengsu. The Filipina wore a beautiful gown by Italian couturier Antonio Grimaldi. She became firm friends with the three debutantes from India—Ananya Raje Scindia, whose family once ruled Gwalior; Shloka Birla, whose family owns the Aditya Birla Group; and Aria Mehta, daughter of Payal Mehta, who designs the jewellery for le Bal’s debutantes.

The Americans were also out in force. Juliet Gordy James, granddaughter of Motown record label founder Berry Gordy, is a young woman who is going places. Her exquisite Elie Saab gown had a full princess skirt, and she oozed such cool confidence that everyone remarked on her star quality. Quite right, too, as the young actress had just started shooting a Netflix television series, so expect to see her on your screens in the near future.

Another scene-stealer was Julia McCaw, who floated through the room on the arm of

brIGht YOuNG thINGs(Clockwise from above) The ballroom; Forest Whitaker, Ophélie Renouard, Elizabeth Wallace Souder, and John Jeffry Louis III; Harper Peck and Julia McCaw float across the ballroom; Kayla Uytengsu with her escort, Chase McCaw; Yvette Lhuillier-Warnod

her former boyfriend Harper Peck, a young man with a notable resemblance to his late grandfather, the actor Gregory Peck. When asked if it was a little awkward attending the ball with her ex, Julia, who has moved to Paris for the year, laughed it off with the confidence of a woman twice her age. “He’s lovely, but we’re friends for now,” she said. “There are a few French boys on the scene, anyway.”

Another cavalier with a famous antecedent was Giacomo Belmondo (his grandfather was the French actor Jean-Paul Belmondo), who escorted True Whitaker in her Jean Paul Gaultier dress to admiring whoops of approval from her father. Later, when the two Whitakers opened the dance, the look of paternal adoration on Forest’s face left a few of the spectators misty-eyed.

And then there was Elizabeth Starling Louis, the granddaughter of the US ambassador to the UK during the presidency of Ronald Reagan. She looked like a young Grace Kelly in her structured Ralph & Russo Couture gown and carefully curled vintage hairstyle.

“This is an experience like no other,” she said. “It’s a wonderful celebration of modern womanhood. It’s not like the marriage markets of the past, as we’re not wearing white dresses or pretending to be anything we’re not. The recent mid-term elections in the US, where more women ran than ever before, really inspired me. It’s so uplifting to see debs here of all ethnicities from around the world. We all have our own aspirations for the future, and I really believe we can help shape it.”

Her words felt particularly important on that cold November evening, as the day of le Bal also saw the first of a series of violent Saturday protests against French President Emmanuel Macron. The so-called gilet jaunes (yellow vests) protest movement tore through the streets of Paris, leaving a trail of burning cars, smashed windows, and clouds of tear gas.

As the couture-clad debs waltzed in the Shangri-La ballroom, it could have felt like a Marie Antoinette moment—but it didn’t. These young women were all so astute, so politically aware and so thoughtful, they gave me hope for the future.

“It’s so uplifting to see debs here of all ethnicities from around the world. We all have our own aspirations for

the future, and I believe we can help shape it”—Elizabeth Starling Louis

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dramatic entranceKayla wears a gown by Antonio Grimaldi and jewellery by Payal New York

It’s finally her turn. Kayla Uytengsu, last year’s Philippine representative to the annual le Bal des Débutantes, shares fond memories of this magical night with MJ Jose

Photography tim griffiths Art Direction anton san diego

OneSingularSenSation

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In the 19th century, it was customary for well-to-do families to present their daughters to society through a debutante ball, signifying that they were of marriageable age. As society began to eschew certain traditions to adapt to a rapidly changing world, debutante balls did not fade into antiquity. Some have

evolved into more exclusive, by-invitation-only affairs; only young ladies from prestigious families who have made notable contributions to politics, business, art, and other such disciplines are considered to take part. From the Queen Charlotte’s Ball to the International Debutante Ball, from the Shanghai International Debutante Ball to, yes, le Bal des Débutantes, to other smaller balls around the world, the women accorded the opportunity to take part in such an esteemed coming of age event—and experience the joys of a real-life fairytale—are few and fortunate.

back is beautiful(Opposite) Kayla wears a gown by Rajo Laurel

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Previously known as the Crillon Ball (the affair took place at the Hotel de Crillon from 1992 to 2012), le Bal as it is called, was both conceptualised and realised by its prime mover and founder, PR extraordinaire Ophélie Renouard. For those who are bestowed with an invitation, this merits a night of haute couture—gowns, shoes, and jewellery—handsome cavaliers, fine dining, waltzes, and, perhaps most important of all, philanthropy. In 2005, Forbes dubbed le Bal as one of the world’s top 10 hottest parties. Former debutantes from the Philippines include sisters Monica and Paloma Urquijo, Emily Madrigal, Dominique Cojuangco, and Monica Concepcion.

Presented to society at the Shangri-La Hotel, Paris in November of 2018 was Kayla Uytengsu, daughter of Alaska Milk Corporation CEO & President Wilfred Uytengsu Jnr and the former Kerri Dunn. Currently a freshman at Stanford University, Kayla excels in both academics and extra-curricular activities, having been an active student athlete as well as a council member of the National Honour Society while in high school, which she attended at the International School Manila (ISM). One to involve herself in community-based work, she helped organise charity events for Operation Smile and spearheaded the construction of a public school library—a wish she’d made for her 16th birthday—that has evolved into one of ISM’s service sites.

gilded ageKayla wears a black gown by Jonathan Simkhai and jewellery by Payal New York

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“I did not know what to expect, and so I quickly took to social media to get a grasp of the experience,” says Kayla of her reaction upon first hearing about le Bal. “When I saw the photos and videos of previous debs, I began to get excited because you could see how they all bonded over this short, special experience. I also got to know who the previous Philippine representatives were, and I was delighted to be in such good company. For the longest time, it didn’t seem like something was ever going to happen, but it all started to sink in when I began the fittings for my gown with Antonio Grimaldi.”

The young deb adored being a muse to Grimaldi. Of everything that took place within the preparatory period, what she enjoyed the most were the hours spent in the designer’s atelier in Rome, surrounded by racks and racks of beautiful couture gowns she had free reign to play dress up in. “Working with him was an absolute dream—I could not have asked for a more accommodating, talented, and passionate designer,” she enthuses. “It was overwhelming because I fell in love with each dress I saw, and I enjoyed the experience of trying them on. One of my favourite moments was getting to show off a design made completely out of mirrored material on his balcony; the entire outfit sparkled in the sunlight!” Her fondest memory, of course,

family first (Opposite)Kayla, with her parents, Fred and Kerri Uytengsu

would be of trying on the final dress—an elegant, structured, beaded number with voluminous feathers along one shoulder that fit her like a glove.

Kayla describes the morning of le Bal as “a complete and utter whirlwind, but in the best way possible.” All 19 debs were whisked from hair to make-up to dressing, bonding along the way as each one willingly lent a hand to fix an errant zipper or a stubborn shoe buckle. Before the grand reveals, all the ladies and their cavaliers gathered in a room to get to know each other (“And down a few shots of espresso to gear up for a night full of dancing!” adds Kayla) and exchange stories. Some of the young ladies she met were True Whitaker, the daughter of Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker; Baroness Ludmilla von Oppenheim, from Germany; Annabel Yao, the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei; and Aria Mehta, the daughter of Le Bal’s official jeweller Payal Mehta. Following this, each pair was led up to corridors to wait their turn as each debutante was presented. Walking into the grand ballroom of the Shangri-La Hotel, Paris and seeing dozens of faces—loved ones and strangers alike—was an exhilarating moment she knows she will never forget.

She was escorted to the ball on the arm of Chase McCaw, the son of telecommunications magnate and AT&T founder Craig McCaw and brother to fellow deb Julia, who was introduced to her by Ophélie Renouard. “Because Chase and I are both students at Stanford, we quickly bonded over campus life; he even gave me some insider tips,” she shares. “I enjoyed the waltz rehearsals we spent with his siblings and getting to debut his signature swing dance move—the pretzel—during my reveal.”

Amidst the pomp and pageantry, the rest of the evening was marked by many heartwarming moments. Her loving and

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posed for perfection(Opposite) Kayla wears a gown by Rajo Laurel

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supportive parents, who made sure that every moment was as special as it could be for her—served as Kayla’s anchors from start to finish. “My Mum was such a trouper,” she recalls with a laugh. “She was right by me during the photoshoots, going so far as to run through the halls of the hotel with me whenever we had to do a quick location change, gowns and shoes in tow!”

Her most significant shared experience with her father was, of course, the dance rehearsals and the waltz proper. “It was a special moment,” she adds. “We struggled with the steps at first, but eventually got into the groove of things because we would count in our heads and subtly cue each other to signal a new move and turn. Following the waltz, I got to spend the rest of the night laughing and dancing with my parents and everyone else who was there. It was an amazing way to share the magic of le Bal.” As was customary, the debs and their cavaliers headed off into the night for an after-party at the clubs—sans couture gowns and custom jewellery this time.

Kayla will never forget the time she spent in the company of her fellow debs, whom she got to bond with in many instances throughout the shared special experience. Aside from chatting during hair and make-up, they would go for spontaneous dim sum runs and boost each other up onto marble fireplaces for extravagant Instagram-worthy photos. “It felt amazing to be surrounded by girls from different backgrounds, yet still find so much common ground,” she says. “I found them to be kind and selfless, and, in their own ways, all very successful. Above all, these young ladies have a shared passion for creating change, which I found extremely inspiring.” Having connected with the other girls over various social media channels, Kayla hopes to reunite with them—especially those who are also studying university in the United States—whenever possible.

As she is a staunch supporter of community-based initiatives, Kayla understands that le Bal does not simply stand to serve as a fairytale-esque experience for its debutantes,

but also a reminder of the causes that it serves: the Seleni Institute, a non-profit organisation dedicated to enhancing the quality of women’s maternal and reproductive health, and Enfants d’Asie, which assists disadvantaged children in South East Asia in building a better future. She appreciates the positive impact these organisations have on their constituents, and looks forward to working closer with Enfants d’Asie, which has a site in Cebu City, her father’s home town and a place near and dear to her heart.

“My advice to future debs would be to take in every moment of the experience,” says Kayla, who now joins the roster—a small albeit special one—of le Bal des Débutantes alumna. “It is so easy to get caught up in the chaos of rushing from one photoshoot to another. It can be overwhelming meeting and having to remember so many people in such a short period of time. But it is important to take a few seconds to check in with reality and recognise how special and unique the le Bal experience is. Imagine finding yourself standing on a balcony with the Eiffel Tower in view, dressed in a stunning haute couture gown, surrounded by some of the most amazing, vivacious young women you could hope to meet. No amount of preparation could have readied me for all the intricacies of the event, but that was what made it even more magical.”

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