Inside Le Bal des Débutantes, where daughters of royalty, Hollywood icons, and politicians have made high society debuts since 1994

Maria NoyenOct 14, 2021, 22:04 IST

Le Bal is basically a modern revamp of a Bridgerton party.Ophélie Renouard/Le Bal

Daughters of Hollywood elite, royals, and politicians have attended Le Bal des Débutantes in Paris.
Founded by Ophélie Renouard, Le Bal is a modern revival of traditional Bridgerton-like balls.
To get a glimpse inside, Insider spoke to Renouard and former debutante, Princess Akshita Bhanj Deo.

Daughters of Hollywood's elite, royal houses, business moguls, and politicians from around the world have received exclusive invites to attend Le Bal des Débutantes in Paris.

Lauren Bush, niece of former President George W. Bush, attended Le Bal in 2000 wearing Christian Dior. Ophélie Renouard/Le Bal

Daughters of Hollywood's elite, royal houses, business moguls, and politicians from around the world have received exclusive invites to attend Le Bal des Débutantes in Paris.

While the concept of holding an evening in honor of girls on the cusp of adulthood bears some parallel to traditional debutante balls, Renouard said Le Bal is "totally different."

American actress Andie McDowell is pictured with her daughter Rainsford Qualley during her Le Bal debut in 2005. Ophélie Renouard/Le Bal

While the concept of holding an evening in honor of girls on the cusp of adulthood bears some parallel to traditional debutante balls, Renouard said Le Bal is "totally different."

There are several other criteria a prospective debutante must meet to get a coveted invite to Le Bal.

Lily Collins, who wore Chanel to her debut at Le Bal in 2007, was accompanied by journalist Richard Dennen. Ophélie Renouard/Le Bal

Potential debutantes often face stiff competition as Renouard never invites more than 22 women.

Six years after her sister Rainsford made her Le Bal debut, Margaret Qualley got an invite and attended alongside her cavalier, Count Filippo Emo Capodilista of Italy. Ophélie Renouard/Le Bal

Having international representation is a high priority for Renouard.

Bruce Willis and his daughter Tallulah shared a sweet dancing moment at Le Bal in 2011. Ophélie Renouard/Le Bal

The debutantes selected by Renouard and her small team of three don't have to pay for their gowns, waltz lessons, and almost anything else they require during their weekend in Paris.

Kyra Kennedy attended Le Bal with her father Robert F. Kennedy Jr in 2013. Ophélie Renouard/Le Bal

The debutantes selected by Renouard and her small team of three don't have to pay for their gowns, waltz lessons, and almost anything else they require during their weekend in Paris.

But having a reputation of inviting only the rich and the famous, Le Bal has faced criticism over the years for perpetuating an outdated tradition of class division.

Reese Witherspoon came out to support her daughter Ava Phillippe's Le Bal debut in 2017. Ophélie Renouard/Le Bal

Renouard said she and her team of three often try to find debutantes outside of their usual profile.

Ava Philippe wore Giambattista Valli Haute Couture to her high society debut. Ophélie Renouard/Le Bal

In 2024, it will be three decades since Renouard started Le Bal, but she has no plans as of yet to stop.

Renouard has a list of potential debutantes for the "next 20 years." Ophélie Renouard/Le Bal

Though she is actual royalty, Princess Akshita Bhanj Deo of Mayurbhanj, India, told Insider getting to go to Le Bal was like living a scene out of "The Princess Diaries."

Princess Akshita Bhanj Deo was the only one wearing a caped dress during her Le Bal debut in 2013, which she said "felt really cool." Ophélie Renouard/Le Bal

Though she is actual royalty, Princess Akshita Bhanj Deo of Mayurbhanj, India, told Insider getting to go to Le Bal was like living a scene out of "The Princess Diaries."

While Bhanj Deo said her royal background probably helped her to be on Renouard's radar, she also said there is more to what makes a Le Bal debutante.

Lady Amelia Windsor dances the night away at Le Bal in 2013 with Prince Giacomo Leone Massimo Brancaccio. Ophélie Renouard/Le Bal

When Renouard asked her whether she had a cavalier in mind, Bhanj Deo quickly thought of her cousin Prince Chaitanya Raj Singh, who has since been crowned a King in the Indian state of Jaisalmer.

Bhanj Deo's date was her cousin Prince Chaitanya Raj Singh. Ophélie Renouard/Le Bal

When Renouard asked her whether she had a cavalier in mind, Bhanj Deo quickly thought of her cousin Prince Chaitanya Raj Singh, who has since been crowned a King in the Indian state of Jaisalmer.

One of the best moments from the actual weekend for Bhanj Deo was really getting to know the other debutantes and cavaliers.

Accompanying her husband Robert F. Kennedy Jr was Cheryl Hines, pictured here alongside Larry David whose own daughter Romy made her debut in 2013. Ophélie Renouard/Le Bal

Bhanj Deo said she was totally taken care of the entire weekend - and each girl even had their own glam team.

Forest Whitaker dancing with his daughter True at Le Bal in 2018. Ophélie Renouard/Le Bal

"Everyone wanted to network and network in the best way possible," Bhanj Deo said. "You want to be friends with everyone and we all wanted to have each other's back.

Whereas traditionally debutante balls were a place to find girls suitable marriages, Bhanj Deo said Le Bal was more like a networking event. Ophélie Renouard/Le Bal

And while she did say the feeling she got from dressing up and meeting Renouard was similar to "The Princess Diaries," Bhanj Deo said no movies or TV show portrayal of a debutante ball compare to Le Bal.

Sylvester Stallone accompanies his daughter Sophia Rose onto the Le Bal dance floor in 2012. Ophélie Renouard/Le Bal

And while she did say the feeling she got from dressing up and meeting Renouard was similar to "The Princess Diaries," Bhanj Deo said no movies or TV show portrayal of a debutante ball compare to Le Bal.

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Inside Le Bal des Débutantes, where daughters of royalty, Hollywood icons, and politicians have made high society debuts since 1994

Daughters of Hollywood's elite, royal houses, business moguls, and politicians from around the world have received exclusive invites to attend Le Bal des Débutantes in Paris.

While the concept of holding an evening in honor of girls on the cusp of adulthood bears some parallel to traditional debutante balls, Renouard said Le Bal is "totally different."

There are several other criteria a prospective debutante must meet to get a coveted invite to Le Bal.

Potential debutantes often face stiff competition as Renouard never invites more than 22 women.

Having international representation is a high priority for Renouard.

The debutantes selected by Renouard and her small team of three don't have to pay for their gowns, waltz lessons, and almost anything else they require during their weekend in Paris.

But having a reputation of inviting only the rich and the famous, Le Bal has faced criticism over the years for perpetuating an outdated tradition of class division.

Renouard said she and her team of three often try to find debutantes outside of their usual profile.

In 2024, it will be three decades since Renouard started Le Bal, but she has no plans as of yet to stop.

Though she is actual royalty, Princess Akshita Bhanj Deo of Mayurbhanj, India, told Insider getting to go to Le Bal was like living a scene out of "The Princess Diaries."

While Bhanj Deo said her royal background probably helped her to be on Renouard's radar, she also said there is more to what makes a Le Bal debutante.

When Renouard asked her whether she had a cavalier in mind, Bhanj Deo quickly thought of her cousin Prince Chaitanya Raj Singh, who has since been crowned a King in the Indian state of Jaisalmer.

One of the best moments from the actual weekend for Bhanj Deo was really getting to know the other debutantes and cavaliers.

Bhanj Deo said she was totally taken care of the entire weekend - and each girl even had their own glam team.

"Everyone wanted to network and network in the best way possible," Bhanj Deo said. "You want to be friends with everyone and we all wanted to have each other's back.

And while she did say the feeling she got from dressing up and meeting Renouard was similar to "The Princess Diaries," Bhanj Deo said no movies or TV show portrayal of a debutante ball compare to Le Bal.