9 Filipino Socialites Who Made Their Debut at Le Bal des Débutantes
A débutante ball, not to be confused by the Philippine counterpart, seems like something that only exists in period movies. But, it's a tradition that still lives on to this day. While débutantes were initially presented during the society season for eligible bachelors and their families to consider for marriage, the ball's purpose has evolved to become a way to introduce young aristocratic women into society while promoting charity and fashion through the years.
One of the most prestigious débutante balls in the world is Paris' Le Bal des Débutantes. The ball, founded in 1992, is organized by Ophélie Renouard and features prominent ladies that come from families known in entertainment, business, and more. The debutantes don couture gowns and high jewelry while supporting organizations like Enfants d'Asie and Seleni. Notable débutantes include Lily Collins, Isha Ambani, and Princess Diana's niece Lady Kitty Spencer.
In recent years, attendees have included members of Filipino society families like the Zobels, Madrigals, and more. Here are eight Filipinos who made their debut at Le Bal des Débutantes.
Atasha Muhlach
On November 26, Atasha Muhlach was one of 17 other debutantes from around the world in the 2022 Le Bal des Debutantes. The daughter of Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzalez was escorted by her twin brother Andres and wore a dress by British designer Sabina Bilenko with jewellery by V Muse.
Rocio Zobel
Rocio Zobel attended the Le Bal des Débutantes in 2019 to represent the Philippines. Zobel, the youngest daughter of Inigo Zobel and Maricris Cardenas-Zobel, wore a Jan Taminiau dress and was accompanied by cavalier Marty Romualdez (the son of politicians Martin Romualdez and Yedda Marie Romualdez).
Kayla Uytengsu
In 2018, Le Bal des Débutantes was held in Shangri-La Hotel, Paris for the first time. Kayla Uytengsu, the daughter of Alaska Milk Corporation chairman Fred Uytengsu and Kerri Dunn-Uytengsu, represented the Philippines in an Antonio Grimaldi gown and Payal New York jewelry.
Monica Concepcion
The second to the youngest child of businessman Joey Concepcion and Marissa Orosa-Concepcion, Monica Concepcion wore Marchesa as she waltzed with her cavalier Guelfo Gucci Ludolf in 2016. Fellow débutantes were Olympia Taittinger of the Taittinger wine family, French and Austrian princesses, and more.
Dominique Cojuangco
The 2015 Le Bal des Débutantes went ahead despite the terrorist attacks in Paris. Dominique Cojuangco, the daughter of Antonio "Tonyboy" Cojuangco and Gretchen Barretto, made headlines in local and international media as she attended wearing Vivienne Westwood Couture alongside cavalier Viscount Emilion de Roquefeuil.
Emily Madrigal
The daughter of Vincent and Ann Madrigal, Emily Madrigal wore a J. Mendel gown and Maison Bucherer jewels as she attended Le Bal des Débutantes in 2014. That year, the débutantes also included the daughter of celebrities like Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, and Mads Mikkelsen, as well as the descendants of French, Italian, and Austrian royals.
Monica Urquijo Zobel
Monica Urquijo followed in her sister Paloma's footsteps as a débutante in 2013. She fittingly wore a gown by Filipino designer Monique Lhuillier and was escorted by cavalier George Pearson. In the same year, the ball celebrated its 20th anniversary. Notable débutantes included Robert Kennedy Jr.'s daughter Kyra Kennedy, Queen Elizabeth's niece Lady Amelia Windsor, and Lauren Marbe, a student who made headlines for having an IQ higher than Einstein's.
Natalia Zobel
In 2009, Natalia Zobel became the second Filipino débutante as she attended wearing Dominique Sirop alongside cavalier Rafael Vilallonga. The daughter of Iñigo Zobel and Maricris Cardenas was in good company with nobles like Princess Diana's niece Lady Kitty Spencer and the great-granddaughter of Lord Mountbatten Angelica Hicks.
Paloma Urquijo Zobel de Ayala
Paloma Urquijo Zobel de Ayala, the daughter of Bea Zobel de Ayala with Juan Urquijo Fernández de Araoz, became the first Filipino to be a débutante at Le Bal des Débutantes in 2008. She wore a couture gown by Carolina Herrera and was accompanied by her cavalier Dominic Bekaert. The 2008 ball also marked the first time débutantes came from Egypt and Korea. Other attendees included Bruce Willis' daughter Scout Larue Willis and Carrie Fisher's daughter Billie Lourd.
