After a night of splendor at the Shangri-La Hotel Paris, we spoke with the iconic founder Ophélie Renouard to take a closer look at the history and significance of Le Bal, exploring the customs and rituals that make it one of the most highly anticipated events of the Parisian social calendar.
AM: Ophélie, could you give us a brief insight on your background and what led you to establish Le Bal?
My main profession was to organize luxury events that provide media attention and coverage. I worked with several hotels and palaces and I always wanted to create an international charity event. The first idea I had was a haute couture fashion show which then transitioned into Le Bal in 1994.
AM: Which criteria do you consider while recruiting the debutantes and cavaliers?
We like accomplished boys and girls who fit with the story and vision of our event. We sometimes have siblings too. We also had debutantes who became mothers and enrolled their daughters, and the same for cavaliers turned fathers. It has become like a family tradition for some and we are very proud to be part of their memories.
AM: And how do you match the couples?
I pay attention to their heights, the languages they speak and their ages. Then I go by personality and what they like. There should be a sort of chemistry. I am constantly asking people around me for new profiles who would seem outside the box of what a debutante or cavalier is considered to be.
AM: The debutantes flaunt unique haute couture pieces; how do you create the link with the fashion Maisons?
We
spend the year matching dresses with the girls. My team is very
patient, we don’t go by designers, but rather by dresses and the
personality of the girl. Our rule is only one designer per debutant. We
have couturiers from all around the world, French of course, but also
Lebanese, British, Chinese and more. Of course, our professional glam
team by Nars Cosmetics and Alexander von Trentini’s salon do their jobs
so beautifully.
AM: Can we talk about the masterpieces by V Muse Jewelry?
Definitely.
The brand is established by two Chinese individuals who are jewelry
collectors and decided to start a new high jewelry brand. They have a
fantastic collection and they approached me during the pandemic
requesting to be the official jewelers of Le Bal. They have a plan to
make the brand known internationally and to open their first boutique in
Paris.
AM: The core of the event is charity, and this year you
chose The Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital and the World Central
Kitchen. Why did you select these organizations?
I always choose
charities I have a link with because it's easier to know your way
around. I had this friend who was running Enfants d'Asie, and I was
raised in Asia so we helped girls get schooled. We did it for 15 years,
then I had a very sad experience with hospitals and that is when I
decided to take on hospitals. So, I chose The Necker-Enfants Malades
Hospital, which improves the quality of care for children with heart
defects all over the world, and an American charity, the World Central
Kitchen, active in providing meals around the globe.
AM: How does the call to action for donations happen?
The
families and invitees receive the charity information with their
official invitation, and they send their denotations directly to the
organization of choice.
AM: How do you keep Le Bal historically relevant but also adaptable to the woman of today?
I
stopped working with certain partners because they wanted to
commercialize my event many years ago. From my point of view, these
girls come for the old fashion experience. But to make it relevant, I
choose modern girls. It's a-once-in-a-lifetime experience, but they key
to its success is that we genuinely want them to have a good time. We
don't do it for money.
AM: And how do you measure the success of your event?
It's in the quality of our debs. The key is the cast of Le Bal. The boys are also becoming more and more important.
AM: Have you considered taking Le Bal to another country?
I
considered the USA and China. Some have reached out to me to franchise
the brand but I am still considering it. I just don't know if it's a
good idea to take it out of Paris.
AM: Tell us more about the film crew that was present during the 2022 edition
I
met with a friend in New York who was a big fan of Le Bal and we
brainstormed the idea of a documentary. It’s still in the
post-production phase and will be shown on a major streaming platform.