Le Bal Des Debutantes

[ponytrot]

I think that the inclusion of Jane has paid off for the organisers. Because we are all talking about the event,and she has given it a fair bit of publicity which it might not have otherwise garnered. As much as it may be seen to be outdated to some,I love the idea of debutante balls. And I'm with Luluposh on this one. I think that it is a shame that it has changed so much. The deb ball in The UK has just been reinstated I believe

As for Kitty ^ ^, I don't know what was going through her mind If anything at all. I have met her on a few occasions,and I didn't expect anything like what she was wearing. Jane did look good in chanel,and Francesca Eastwood also looked very beautiful. But the best girl for me has to be Autumn Whitaker

I basically agree with your views as well

but on one point I differ is: well has it really paid off? Sure, we're talking about it, but its hardly in a positive light. Though there are so many issues of political correctness that its often difficult to say anything at all!

No, but what I meant was, if the inclusion of Jane resulted to the public going "oh yay! meritocracy/egalitarianism is awesome! - the organisers are so progressive!" then I suppose that could be a positive for the organisers.

However I think that the inherent contradictions of this event - an event that is by definition elitist, or perhaps more neutrally "closed", the concept of making it more accessible or relateable is just kind of nonsensical.

I mean its no big deal, but I suppose its an interesting talking point when considering social changes and such.

PS. I'm not dissing any of the individual girls btw! I think Autumn is the "belle of the ball" here - she looks stunning. In fact all the girls look quite pretty, though I can't say I love many of the dresses.

 

[luluposh]

I also think Autumn is the belle-of-le-Bal!

dumbfairy - yes, you're right! The UK has reinstated it's ball. I'm with you on this, I love the tradition of these balls. I have followed le Bal des Débutantes for quite a long time, and I have had friends who have been escorts, so it interests me.

For those who have never heard of this particular event, the inclusion of Jane has made it more well-known to people who follow her blog, but in terms of advantageous publicity for the ball, well I hardly think it matters that they included her, because this is not an event that needs publicity to round up the next set of females for next year's event, if you understand what I am saying.

 

[_ysl]

Autumn was definitely the belle of the ball. But her mum - WOW!!!! what she wore to the ball and the cocktail was magnificent!!!!!!!! best dressed mum of the night.

 

[Drusilla_]

That is just one tacky dress. She should have gone with another Indian designer, maybe Anamika Khanna, or Rohit Bal, or even Sabyasachi.

I agree, that princess's dress is....hideous. It looks like there's a row of cabbages along the hem, and I've always thought Ritu Beri was an awful 'designer'. Really wish this girl had worn something else (if she wanted OTT, wouldn't Manish Arora have done just as well?).
Jane looked cute though. The dress she was wearing actually looked nice with her red hair, and I liked the collar and sleeves. And Autumn Whitaker looked absolutely glowing- it was nice to see at least some of the dresses managing to be pretty and appropriate for teenagers, while others most definitely were...not (too revealing, for a start).

 

[dina19]

some girls have a bad choice

 

[Harumi]

Look, I don't think we're being outdated/elitist if that is what you're trying to get at. Because realistically this is the 21st century, and no one (well not me and almost no one I know) holds views that uphold the rigid class rules and social barriers of 17th/18th century europe.

But taking this event for what it is - an elitist ball for "the elites", well its farcical and ridiculous when half the people here are randoms.

I agree with that. If you want to update, update. Don't keep the same format and change the cast with people completely disconnected from the traditions you claim to pass on. At this point, it's just a bunch of randoms playing dress-up.

And there is nothing negative per se about 'elitism'. The cult of excellence in all things is a good thing. It is because of elitism that we have museums, stately houses, haute couture, opera houses, etc.
It only becomes an ugly word when the elite itself stop upholding its own standards and just becomes common, vice-riden, prejudicied average-joes with money.

I also think that if we're going to compare, I think Jane looks around a few thousand bucks while 'aristocrat' girls like this..
.. excuse me, but barely the few dollars it might cost another similar-looking spring breaker sunbathing in South Beach.

Kitty, sadly, is an extremely common looking girl. She always looks trashy.
I don't want to offend our fellow South-African Tsfer but I think this is in good part due to her growing up in the party scene of Cape Town rather than in more conservative rural England (although they are plenty of British toffs raised in Glouthestershire who look like this too, of course).
She remind me of Chelsy Davy before she came to England: cheap oversexed clothes, fried white hair, over-tanned skin, the classic appearance of a wealthy beach party girl.

 

[MBee]

Unfortunately there is to be no Crillon Ball this year, due to renovations at the Crillon Hotel. But I've just read that a documentary is being made about the 2011 Crillon Ball Can you imagine how good that will be? So excited! more info

 

[loladonna]

Does anyone have any info on this years debutantes? I understand the ball is today.

I read that one of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore's daughters is taking part.

 

[serenab]

yeah, I heard Tallulah is and Scout did it in 2008. Terrible choices in my opinion. they are the kids of movie stars and they get invited? I have mutual friends with the girls, they are hardly the epitome of class.

 

[eternitygoddess]

A list of this year's debutantes and the respective fashion houses that they'll be wearing: http://wikifashion.com/wiki/Crillon_Ball/2011

 

[chloesaab]

can't wait to see pictures there are lots of interesting Couture choices

 

[thefrancofille]

I'm looking forward to seeing the pics from this event. I think it's fabulous, this whole deb thing.

I have a question: I know it's invitation only to be selected to participate. For some of the bigger names (royals, hollywood stars,etc) it seems obvious. But what about the daughters of obscure business people? How are these people connected enough to get invited to the bal? Or is there a bit of "lobbying" going on behind the scenes?

 

[Prairie]

2009's russian debutante Alexandra Novikova wearing a vintage Didier Ludot gown:

fashnblog.ru

 

[chloesaab]

Sarah Margaret Qualley (Daughter of actress Andie MacDowell) in Elie Saab Fall 2011 HC

purepeople, stylebistro

 

[loladonna]

From Rumer Willis's twitter

 

[Prairie]

Don't judge me for saying that but Willis sisters look like the witches of Eastwick in this photo.

 

[serenab]

sooo true.

 

[chloesaab]

Massara Ojjeh from Lebanon wearing Zuhair Murad HC

http://multimedia.ctk.cz

 

[chloesaab]

Oriane Piccard wearing an Anne-Valery Hash dress

multimedia.ctk.cz

 

[loladonna]

None of these girls so far looks worldy or regal. It looks like prom night or something.