Le Bal des Débutantes has long held a reputation for being one of the most enchanting and exclusive social events in the world, and the 2025 edition only strengthened that legacy. Held on Nov. 29 at the Shangri-La Paris hotel—a luxury landmark set against the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower—the ball brought together glamor, heritage, and youthful promise in a single, sparkling evening. Each year, Le Bal serves as a symbolic passage into adulthood for young women of distinguished families, but it has also evolved into a cultural spectacle where fashion, family traditions, and personal stories intertwine. This year’s debutantes reflected not just privilege or pedigree but the merging of generations, creative legacies, and the evolving definition of modern aristocracy.
The event’s mystique lies partly in its exclusivity. With invitations extended only to a carefully curated group of young women and their cavaliers, the night feels like an old-world ritual adapted to the modern era. Vogue once described it as the Met Gala for teenagers—but even that comparison doesn’t fully capture the atmosphere. Where the Met Gala serves as a showcase for professional performers and public figures, Le Bal thrives on a subtler charm, emphasizing family, heritage, and cultural exchange. Many of the young debutantes come from Hollywood dynasties, royal families, influential business households, or fashion empires. Their presence each year blurs the line between celebrity and tradition, creating a rare gathering that feels as much like a coming-of-age ceremony as it does a fashion event.
Among the most talked-about debutantes this year was Bronwyn Golden Vance, the daughter of Academy Award-winning actors Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance. At nineteen, Bronwyn stepped onto the world stage with a calm elegance that immediately drew attention. Her gown—crafted by celebrated haute couturier Stéphane Rolland—embodied a fairytale quality, with its sweeping silhouette and sculptural details framing her like a modern-day princess. Rolland’s designs are known for their architectural beauty, and this look echoed that signature style while reflecting Bronwyn’s natural poise and youthful grace.
But the true impact of her presence went beyond fabrics or embellishments. One of the evening’s most memorable moments came during the father-daughter opening dance, where Courtney B. Vance, visibly moved, guided his daughter across the ballroom floor. Their interaction felt intimate and genuine, a reminder that even in a room filled with cameras and couture, the core of the evening is deeply human. Later, Bronwyn shared another meaningful moment with her twin brother, Slater Vance, whom she invited to serve as her cavalier for the night. It was a gesture that revealed her grounding in family values, turning a high-society tradition into a personal celebration of sibling connection.
In an interview with Vogue, Bronwyn described the experience as more than just a glamorous night. She spoke about being grateful to share the room with ambitious young women from around the world—women who, despite their diverse backgrounds, shared the same threshold between girlhood and adulthood. She emphasized how rare it is to celebrate such a transition alongside peers who understand the pressures and responsibilities that often accompany their public identities. For her, the night was not simply about debuting in front of society but building meaningful friendships with others who share similar aspirations and life paths.
If Bronwyn represented Hollywood’s modern elegance, Carolina Lansing embodied the enduring power of fashion heritage. At 21, the granddaughter of iconic designer Carolina Herrera made her debut accompanied by her younger brother, Magnus Lansing, who served as her cavalier. Carolina’s appearance carried a particularly poignant and symbolic weight, as her gown paid direct tribute to the creative legacy of her grandmother. Designed by Wes Gordon, creative director of the Carolina Herrera label, the look was a masterpiece rooted in history: a strapless black-and-white polka dot gown featuring a dramatic bell-shaped skirt, low waist, and oversized bow.
The decision to embrace polka dots was not mere aesthetic choice—it was an homage. Herrera’s first runway collection decades ago featured an array of bold polka dots, making the pattern an iconic cornerstone in the brand’s visual identity. By choosing a gown that referenced that debut collection, Carolina effectively threaded her own milestone moment to one of fashion’s historic beginnings. In her interview, she expressed how meaningful it felt to honor her grandmother’s early work, describing the gown as “very Carolina.” It was a look that carried nostalgia without feeling dated, proof that heritage can be timeless when handled with intention.
Carolina’s accessories also carried sentimental value. She revealed that her ribbon choker adorned with an antique diamond and sapphire brooch served as a tribute to her late grandfather, who passed away earlier in the year. The brooch, delicate and dignified, connected her emotionally to him during a night that celebrated family as much as it celebrated fashion. Her mother, Patricia Lansing, later shared images from the event, reminiscing about the polka dots, the giant bow, and the tender fact that Magnus wore her own father’s white tie and tails. It was clear that for Carolina’s family, this evening was more than a society event—it was a generational throughline, a moment weaving together past and present.
Other debutantes brought their own captivating stories and cultural backgrounds to the ballroom. Lady Araminta, daughter of the Duke of Marlborough, represented one of Britain’s most storied aristocratic families. Her presence offered a reminder of the enduring ties between Le Bal and European nobility, a connection that dates back to the event’s earliest iterations. Meanwhile, Eugénia, daughter of Prince Albert and Princess Natalia of Hohenzollern, embodied a blend of royal heritage and modern ambition. As a fashion student at the Marangoni Institute in Paris, she bridged two worlds—aristocracy and contemporary design—infusing her debut with both lineage and personal interest.
Another standout was Reagan Sacks, daughter of David Sacks, who holds a prominent position as chairman of Donald Trump’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and is known for his ties to major tech figures like Elon Musk. Her mother, Jacqueline Sacks, founder of the wellness brand Saint Haven, added another layer of entrepreneurial influence to the family. Reagan’s choice of attire—a blush pink Schiaparelli Haute Couture gown—leaned into the surrealist whimsy the house is celebrated for, complete with matching gloves that enhanced the soft romanticism of the look. Her gown spoke of delicacy and strength simultaneously, capturing the surrealist couture spirit in a way that remained youthful and refined.
Alexandra Moxey, a student at the University of Chicago with academic interests in Latin American History and Law, represented another dimension of today’s debutantes: intellectual ambition paired with cultural exposure. As the daughter of the founder of Ultra Records, a label associated with globally recognized artists like Calvin Harris and David Guetta, Alexandra came from a world deeply entrenched in music and entertainment. Her Lanvin gown fused classical beauty with contemporary structure, making her debut both visually striking and elegantly understated.
Jillian Chan, daughter of acclaimed Chinese-Thai director Peter Chan and actress-producer Sandra Ng, extended the evening’s multicultural breadth. Her presence highlighted the event’s continuing expansion beyond European and American lineages, embracing global artistic and cinematic families. Princess Isabelle, invited due to her lineage as the great-granddaughter of Henri d’Orléans and the youngest daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Chartres, wore an Antonio Grimaldi gown that underscored the royal intrigue that has long accompanied Le Bal. Her appearance reminded attendees of the centuries-long traditions that echo through modern debuts.
Beyond its glitz, Le Bal retains a philanthropic mission at its core. Each year, the event supports charitable organizations, proving that beneath the couture and titles lies a deeper purpose. The 2025 edition supported the Association of Cardiology Research from Fetus to Adult in Paris and the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in New York’s Hudson Valley. These partnerships reflect Le Bal’s commitment to using its platform for meaningful impact, ensuring the night’s beauty resonates beyond the ballroom walls.
What makes Le Bal des Débutantes so enduring is not merely the luxury or exclusivity—it is the fusion of legacy and transformation. It is a space where young women step forward carrying the histories of their families while beginning to define their own identities. It is a gathering where fashion becomes storytelling, where dances become rites of passage, and where heritage becomes a shared language.
The 2025 ball captured all of these elements in a single night, weaving together Hollywood warmth, aristocratic tradition, and fashion innovation. Whether through Bronwyn Golden Vance’s emotional family moments or Carolina Lansing’s sartorial tribute to her grandmother, the evening was filled with stories that transcended the surface sparkle. As the debutantes twirled across the polished floors of the Shangri-La, they symbolized a new generation poised between legacy and future possibility—a generation stepping confidently into a world that is rapidly evolving but still cherishes the grace and grandeur of moments like these.
