Hannah Husain makes history as the first Pakistani debutante at Le Bal

Annual event in Paris is the only debutante ball exclusively by invitation

Hannah Husain has become the first Pakistani participant in the prestigious Le Bal des Débutantes, held recently in Paris. Le Bal, an annual debutante ball and fashion event taking place each November in Paris, gathers between 20 and 25 debutantes aged 16 to 22. It stands out as the only debutante ball exclusively by invitation.

This exclusive event showcases modern royals, young socialites, and philanthropists from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the U.S., accompanied by their parents. Representing Pakistan at the event, Husain is the great-great-granddaughter of Sir Fazle Husain, a prominent barrister, Education Minister, and founder of the Unionist party in India. Her great-grandfather served as the Pakistani Ambassador to Beirut, Lebanon, according to Harpers Bazaar Arabia.

Escorted by her brother Harris, Husain flaunted stunning designs by Georges Hobeika and Elie Saab. The star-studded event took place at Shangri-La Paris, the former residence of Napoleon Bonaparte's nephew. This year's event featured six Asian debutantes, including Advaitesha Birla, the great-great-granddaughter of GD Birla, founder of the Aditya Birla Group, and Skye Wong, from the founders of the Bank of East Asia and Hang Seng Bank in Hong Kong.

The ball, organised by Ophélie Renouard, aims to raise funds for the cardiology research unit ARCFA of Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, specializing in the care of children with heart defects worldwide, and World Central Kitchen, which provides meals to vulnerable communities during global crises.

Originating as a social gathering in 1958 at the legendary Château de Versailles, the ball faced a hiatus in 1968 due to worker uprisings in France. Ophélie Renouard revived it in 1992 as an invitation-only fashion event. From 1992 to 2012, the iconic Parisian hotel, Hôtel de Crillon, hosted the ball, often referred to as the ‘Crillon Ball’.

Past debutantes include renowned names like Ava Phillippe, the daughter of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe, Lily Collins, as well as Hollywood royalty such as Ella Beatty, Viola Mikkelsen, and Sophia-Rose Stallone. Noteworthy among them is Jen Li, the daughter of Huawei's founder.

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