Aug 21, 2017
Ananya Pandey, daughter of Bollywood
actor Chunky and his wife Bhavana Pandey, will soon make her debut in
high society at le Bal.
Each year since 1992, 'le Bal', also referred to as le Bal des
Débutantes, brings together 20 girls and 20 boys from a dozen
nationalities.
For an evening of couture, cavaliers and fundraising, these guests from
influential families across arts, politics, business and culture - make
their grand entry into the uppermost echelons of society and high
fashion.
A bevy of young Indian ladies have made their debut in high society at
le Bal. Among these are Princess Adishree Singh of Jammu and Kashmir
(2009), Shaiyara Devi of Kapurthala (2011), Isha Ambani and Ashna Mehta
(2011), Princess Askshita Bhanjdeo of Mayurbhanj and Jaisalmer (2013),
and Jayati Modi (2016).
This year, le Bal will see two more faces from India - Princess Gauravi
Kumari of Jaipur and Ananya.
Ananya will be dressed by Jean Paul Gaultier, while Princess Gauravi
will be wearing a sari-inspired couture gown by Tarun Tahiliani.
Fine jewellery by Payal New York, an eponymous label by Indian-origin
Payal Mehta, will adorn each participant.
Speaking on its 25th anniversary milestone and this year's Indian
debutantes at le Bal, founder Ophelie Renouard said in a statement:
"India is such a major player in today's world. I am happy that for the
first time, we have two debutantes from India and I would like this to
happen every year."
le Bal will be held on November 25 at The Peninsula Hotel in Paris.
The glamorous event raises funds and awareness for two causes - Enfants
d'Asie: Children of Asia, which provides care for close to 10,000
children in the form of shelter, medical care and food and education,
in South East Asia.
The other is The Seleni Institute, a non-profit organisation providing
care, information and research funding, supporting the mental health of
women and teenage mothers.