Being the first Pakistani debutante at Le Bal, Hannah Husain creates history
Hannah Husain made history by being the first contestant from Pakistan in the esteemed Le Bal des Débutantes, which took place recently in Paris. Every year in November, Le Bal, a debutante gala and fashion event, takes place in Paris and brings together twenty to twenty-five debutantes, ages sixteen to twenty-two. Being the only debutante ball that is only open by invitation makes it unique.
Modern royals, young socialites, and benefactors from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the United States are on display at this invitation-only gathering, along with their parents. Husain, who is the great-great-granddaughter of Sir Fazle Husain, an eminent attorney, Education Minister, and the founder of the Unionist party in India, is representing Pakistan at the function. Harpers Bazaar Arabia claims that her great-grandfather was the Pakistani ambassador in Beirut, Lebanon.
Husain, escorted by her brother Harris, showed off exquisite Elie Saab and Georges Hobeika designs. The glittering affair was held at Shangri-La Paris, the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte’s former home. Six Asian debutantes participated in this year’s event, including Skye Wong, a descendant of the founders of the Bank of East Asia and Hang Seng Bank in Hong Kong, and Advaitesha Birla, the great-great-granddaughter of GD Birla, the founder of the Aditya Birla Group.
The goal of the Ophélie Renouard-organized ball is to generate money for the World Central Kitchen, which feeds impoverished people during times of crisis, and the cardiology research unit ARCFA of Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, which specializes in the treatment of children with heart problems worldwide.
First held as a social event in 1958 at the storied Château de Versailles, the ball was put on hold in 1968 as a result of French worker upheavals. It was brought back by Ophélie Renouard in 1992 as an invitation-only fashion event. The event, often known as the “Crillon Ball,” was held at the Hôtel de Crillon, a famous Parisian hotel, from 1992 until 2012.
Past debutantes have included well-known figures including Ella Beatty, Viola Mikkelsen, Sophia-Rose Stallone, and Ava Phillippe, the daughter of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe, Lily Collins. Among them is Jen Li, the founder of Huawei’s daughter, who is noteworthy
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