This year, beautiful 20-year-old Atasha Muhlach is set to make her mark in Shangri-La Paris, representing the Philippines at le Bal des Débutantes. “I was shocked that I was even considered to be part of the event. At first, I couldn’t believe it because it felt like a scene from The Princess Diaries. I was just in the UK continuing my studies until my mum called me and confirmed that I would be attending the ball,” Atasha expresses how thrilled she is for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. “This made me both excited and nervous. This would be the first time I’d ever be attending a ball in Paris while representing my own country.”

Born to showbiz royalty, Aga Muhlach, Charlene Gonzalez-Muhlach, Atasha and her twin brother Andres are not new to the limelight. Fortunate to have done several commercials as a child, it turned out natural for her to enjoy life in front of the camera. “It did not seem like work or pressure because we had so much fun on the set. Growing up, our parents tried to provide us with rich life experiences and appreciate all the little things that come our way,” Atasha says.

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Having heard about le Bal from former debutantes who represented the Philippines, Atasha is confident that the highly anticipated couture event would give her and her fellow debutantes a wonderful time. “I look forward to hearing their stories, getting to know them and at the same time sharing a part of our Philippine culture with them while experiencing this moment together,” she says.

So much like a princess getting ready for the big day, the long and tedious preparation leading to le Bal was far from ordinary. “Ophelie was able to walk me through and guide me every step of the way to help me prepare for the shoot. We were discussing [about] the designers in London [to approach] for the event to see what gowns would best suit me for le Bal,” the debutant recalls. From a series of meetings and fittings with world-class designers to develop the most stunning ensembles for the ball to back-to-back shoots with an international team of creative geniuses and photographers, it was a roller-coaster ride for Atasha. “At first, I was very nervous, but everyone made me feel so comfortable as they were so kind,” she shares.

Atasha’s typical shoot day in London was filled with long hours of beauty preps and gown fitting. Upon arrival at the Sabina Bilenko atelier—a London-based couture house founded by Uzbekistan-born twin sisters Sabina and Diana Bilenko—and after a thorough job by the glam team, Atasha was brought to the central fitting room where all the fabulous gowns were lined up. “Once the doors opened, I was in complete awe seeing all the beautiful gowns spread out across the room and meeting wonderful people to assist me with trying them on and [to help during] the shoot,” she muses. In the end, all her worries disappeared as they all had a great time during the pre-ball activities.

Among the many outfits created by Sabina Bilenko for Atasha is a navy-blue satin organza off-the-shoulder ballgown that features a voluminous hand-appliquéd frills ruffle skirt. The embellished top, striking with silk thread work and beads, is finished with three-dimensional satin organza flowers. “I think this dress works perfectly with Atasha’s style. She looked spectacular in it. Working with clients like Atasha, who embraces fashion and has the confidence to carry strong pieces, is such a privilege,” explains Sabina, who couldn’t wait to see Atasha in the setting of the le Bal des Débutantes in November. “The dress has the perfect amount of drama for such a special event.”

Ecstatic about working with international designers, Atasha admires the effort they put into their work. She tried on several gowns, each one radiating elegance and made with pure love. “Most of their dresses were handstitched, and you could see the number of hours put into the gowns through the intricate details,” she elaborates. The outfits were complemented by an equally captivating jewellery collection by V Muse Jewellery.

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But more than the glitz and glamour, le Bal des Débutantes is a philanthropic project as it also aims to raise funds to support charities advocating to help the youth and women. Former debs such as Milana Brunel, Marie Victoire de Kergorlay, Johanna Piaton de Turckheim and Natalia Zobel had the opportunity to participate in Enfants d’Asie’s initiatives. Established in 1991, Enfants d’Asie (Children of Asia) provides care for close to 8,000 children in Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and the Philippines.

Atasha’s genuine heart and a soft spot for children serendipitously aligns with le Bal’s beneficiary this year—the Necker-Enfants Malades hospital: ARCFA or the Association for the Cardiology Research from Fetus to Adult. The first paediatric hospital created in the world, the Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, specialises in paediatric cardiology and has treated more than 2,000 children through cardiac surgery and percutaneous interventional procedures. “The 2022 edition of le Bal is indeed a special one. After two years of a worldwide pandemic, it is a reminder of how we must cherish the happy moments of our lives and remember our responsibility towards the less privileged citizens of the world, which le Bal’s charity supports,” says Renouard.

Not known to many, Atasha has been involved in various charity projects before leaving the country to study business in the UK. “My friends and I were able to come together and build a library and provide clean water to an elementary school in the Philippines while being given the opportunity to teach children Math and English,” she reminisces about her little acts of kindness. A visual artist, she also used her talents to redecorate and paint rooms in a local orphanage. “I find projects like this so fulfilling, especially when you see the smiles on the children’s faces.”

Everything leading up to the main event in November was so memorable for Atasha. “I was able to experience so many new things and built lifelong relationships with the people around me working towards this event,” she humbly shares. The incoming junior university student was in Manila when we interviewed her, taking advantage of the summer break to be with her family. “I have yet to meet the [other] debutantes, and I am looking forward to meeting them all!” she enthused, clearly ecstatic to be part of what she initially thought was a dreamy fairy tale.

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