Cover Jasmine Yen (Photo: @jasmineyen / Instagram)
Jasmine Yen (Photo: @jasmineyen / Instagram)
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21 young ladies comprise this year’s list of debutantes, six being of Asian descent, gather to celebrate empowerment, fashion and charity
It’s that time of the year again for the annual le Bal des Débutantes, where Ophelie Renouard (founder of Le Bal) brings together 21 vibrant young women and their cavaliers in Paris. As the only by-invitational débutante ball in today’s modern world, it convenes movers and shakers from all sorts of cultures and walks of life—celebrating the “debs” while helping those in need.
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In an interview, Renouard revealed that the debs selected often have a ‘certain profile’ and are scouted years in advance. Indeed, royalty attended it—like Princess Akshita Bhanj Deo of India, Princess Fawzia Latifa of Egypt, and Lady Amelia Windsor of the British Royal family.
Locally, personalities like Atasha Muhlach, Rocio Zobel, Dominique Cojuangco and Paloma Urquijo, among others, have participated at le Bal.
Le Bal is known now for being a diplomatic tool and creating a long-lasting bond between debutantes and cavaliers and haute couture events. Le Bal is also a charity event; this year’s beneficiaries are World Central Kitchen and ARCFA, the Association of Cardiology Research for the Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital.
This year, six Asians are on the exclusive list. Discover more about them below.
Jasmine Yen
Above Jasmine Yen
Jasmine Yen
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Jasmine Yen studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she honed her skills in music. She recently debuted her single titled “idk” on July 29 this year, amassing over 100k views on YouTube and 1 million on Weibo. Currently, she splits her time between Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Her father, Donnie Yen, is an actor, director, and producer. On the other hand, her mother, Cecilia Wang, manages her father’s career and production company.
G Hobeika Haute Couture is dressing the artist for the ball. Her cavalier is her brother James.
Skye Wong
Above Skye Wong
Above Skye Wong
Skye Wong
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Skye Wong is known for her brilliance and accomplishments and is now in her second year at St John’s College at Cambridge University.
Her great-grandfathers from both her paternal and maternal sides co-founded banks in Hong Kong: the Bank of East Asia and Hang Seng Bank, the oldest and largest local banks in Hong Kong, respectively.
Patti Wong, her mother, is the Senior International Chairman of Sotheby’s and has just founded an art advisory company.
Skye Wong will wear Vivienne Westwood to le Bal, escorted by her cavalier Count Ivan de Poligny.
Advaitesha Birla
Above Advaitesha Birla
Above Advaitesha Birla
Advaitesha Birla
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The Birla clan is one of India’s oldest business families. Her great-great-grandfather, GD Birla, founded the Aditya Birla Group. As a member of the esteemed household, Advaitesha Birla secured an invitation to the le Bal.
Currently pursuing a degree in psychology at the University College London (UCL), she strives to flourish career-wise. She focuses on growing her social enterprise, Ujaas while exploring opportunities within the family businesses.
Advaitesha will wear Sabyasachi, with her brother, Aryaman, as her cavalier.
Hannah B Husain
Above Hannah B Husain
Above Hannah B Husain
Hannah B Husain
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Hailing from Pakistan, Hannah Husain is the great-great-granddaughter of Fazle Husain, a Barrister from Cambridge, Education Minister and founder of the Unionist party in India.
Her grandfather was the Pakistan ambassador to Beirut, whose brothers were the ambassadors to Cairo, Turkey, Indonesia, Iraq and Spain.
For the event, Husain will wear an Elie Saab. Harris, her older brother, will be her cavalier.
Yvette Yao
Above Yvette Yao
Above Yvette Yao
Yvette Yao
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Yvette Yao’s grandmother, Alice King, founded one of the first contemporary art galleries in Hong Kong in 1981, making her a significant patron of the arts. Apart from this, her uncle, Tung Chee-Hwa, was the first chief executive of Hong Kong.
She studies Architecture and Design at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and is an inspirational student involved with an association that raises money for Alzheimer’s research.
Accompanied by Maxence de Lanversin, Yao will wear Armani Privé.
More from Tatler: Tatler Ball throwback: Get to know its beneficiaries through the years
Roxie Zhao
Above Roxie Zhao
Above Roxie Zhao
Roxie Zhao
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At 16, Roxie Zhao launched her own business, a go-karting track venue, to get more young people involved in the sport she loves. She has more than 20 employees now.
Roxie Zhao’s father, Wang Yi, is an artist at the Chinese National Academy of Painting. Her mother, Zhao Yan, chairs Hong Kong-listed Bloomage Biotechnology, which makes hyaluronic acid.
Apart from biotech businesses, Zhao is interested in real estate, finance, and, of course, sports.
Roxie will wear Franck Sorbier Haute Couture with Gabriel de Lanversin as her cavalier.
Above le Bal des
Debutantes 2019 including Philippines Deb Rocio Zobel (Photo: Tim Griffiths)
le Bal des Debutantes 2019 including Philippines Deb Rocio Zobel (Photo: Tim Griffiths)
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Among the other attendees are: Princess Ildiko Habsburg-Lothringen, Princess Lissie Sellassie, Countess Lara Cosima Henckel von Donnersmarck, Honor d’Andlau-Hombourg, Marchesa Barbara Berlingieri, Lara Connor, Louisa Dub, Anya Embiricos, Olivia Ford Uzielli, Ella H McCaw, Angelina Jordan, Victoria Mestre Cisneros, Eden Leprevost Blin-Lebreton, Talitha Stern, and Elizabeth L Webster.
Le Bal Paris 2023 is happening on November 25, 2023, at the Shangri-La Paris Hotel.
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Images: Le Bal des Débutantes (lebal.paris)
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is the assistant digital editor of Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
