MELISSA TWIGG

The British journalist meets a group of glamorous young women with a lot more than marriage on their minds in Coming of Age (p.58)

What’s your next travel destination?

I’m far too delicate for a dark English winter, so I now spend January and February at my parents’ house in Cape Town— and I’m planning a trip up to Malawi while I’m there.

Who would play you in a movie?

Someone once said I looked like Oona Chaplin and I was immensely flattered, so let’s say her.

Valentine’s Day plans?

Crashing my parents’ romantic dinner like any good thirtysomething temporarily living at home.

One debutante whose style you like?

I loved Elizabeth Starling Lewis’ princess gown—she looked like a young Princess Grace. And her knowledge of politics was impressive.

What’s one detail about the debutante ball that you loved?

The pomp and ceremony of a Parisian ball is always irresistible—although this year, the pale pink flowers covering every surface were particularly spectacular.