RISING STAR
At 17, ASHNA MEHTA, heiress to diamond manufacturers Rosy Blue, is involved in raising funds for female education in India. Here, she recounts her debut at Paris’s le Bal des Débutantes, a glittering fashion event that helps charitable organisations.
THE INVITE ARRIVED IN THE MAIL. But I had already known about the event from my family friend Isha Ambani, who had attended it last year with her parents Mukesh and Nita. She had told me about the historic tradition that dates to 18th-century England when aristocratic families presented their daughters to HM the Queen. They were the ‘Debutantes’ and so was I to be at le Bal des Débutantes, an evening signalling a coming of age, amidst a froth of couture dresses and a clutch of dashing cavaliers. Isha had told me I would love it, so when PR maven Ophélie Renouard, who has organised le Bal since 1992, invited me to be part of the 2013 edition, I was only too excited.
le Bal des Débutantes is one of the top 10 social events of the world and it is an honour to be invited. Thisyear, therewere 20 girls debuting. We hailed from nine countries and ranged in ages 16-22.The annual event in Paris was scheduled for November, two months from when I had received my invite to it. I’d researched it at school in New York and knew not only its history—King George III is supposed to have thrown the first one for his wife in 1780—but was also excited about the couture houses that dressed the debutantes (or debs, as we were called) to represent the maison. Isha, for instance, had worn Christian Dior Haute Couture, while earlier, for their bals, Talulah Willis (daughter of actor Bruce Willis) had chosen Lanvin, and Margherita Missoni Maccapani (daughter of designer Angela Missoni) had worn Emmanuel Ungaro Haute Couture. I didn’t know which house I would be matched to—it was J. Mendel — but I was looking forward to it all.
This included a formal dance — a waltz—with my father, which I was really excited about. I love dancing and even though I am trained in Kathak for 10 years, I quickly signed up for a few lessons and practiced my moves.
Before I knew it, November was upon me, and I was heading to Paris with my parents Dipu and Payal Mehta.The few lead-up days to the ball were a whirlwind of activity. We were staying at Hotel Raphael in Paris, where we had waltz lessons and photoshoots. Over four days of lunches and dinners, we got to know the other debs better, and I was fortunate enough to meet such friendly girls. I typically don’t find such nice girls in New York. Princess Akshita Bhanjdeo, who was another Indian debutante, and I had a lot in common. She is 20, and studying Political Science and Human Rights at Bard College in New York; I hope to be a newscaster someday. Our conversations revolved a lot around these interests. I also spent time with Kyra L Kennedy (daughter of activist and attorney Robert Kennedy) and Romy M David (daughter of Emmy Award-winning comedian Larry David). We all became friends in such a short span of time and everyone was always in a great mood—but then again, I think anyone would be ecstatic if all they had to do for four days was press an elevator button to get to the Raphael’s Salon Prestige, only to sit there and get their hair and makeup done for some of the world’s premier fashion and entertainment magazines.
During our first shoot (for TeenVogue), we had to stuff our faces with French fries and other delicious junk food—what could be more perfect? I enjoyed every bit(e)! We also threw popcorn all over the place for the shoot and ate it off the floor and off each other’s couture gowns.
We did so many shoots, some really high fashion where we had to hold interesting poses, the others more demure where we had to smile, but that is no mean feat either. Our faces hurt by the end of the day because we had to hold our poses for so long!
It might sound like all fun and games, but to me the le Bal des Débutantes is a great example of how separate worlds can come together and make a difference. I’ve experienced this before when I started my own charity called Ashira Kids where I integrated dance with education. Coming from the world of dance, I wanted to use my passion for something greater. I taught dance routines to children in Juhapura, Gujarat, and put together a showcase for them, and all the money went towards 14 scholarships. Le Bal does something like this too—it helps fund girls’ education in Asia via the charity Enfants d’ Asie—and it’s the perfect way of showcasing how to elevate an event by adding a social purpose, and that is why it is so important.
Finally, it all came down to the evening of the function. Le Bal brought together haute couture houses, and made each one of us represent their fashion by dressing us for the event—I wore a pink gown by J. Mendel and shoes from Christian Louboutin. The gown was a perfect representation of me—really out there and loud. I felt so special being the only debutante who was wearing something that hadn’t been on the runway yet, as it is going to be a part of the Spring 2014 collection. More importantly, it was so easy to move in, which made the waltz a lot easier. In addition, le Bal had Swiss house Bucherer drape us all in jewels and the cavaliers in stylish watches. We got our hair done and they painted my face, something I’m just not used to! It was great fun, and most importantly there was no drama.
We then moved to the Automobile Club de France, where the event was to be held. I was holding onto my cavalier—Prince Théodore Ruspoli of Italy—so tightly, lest I fall in my Louboutins! We all lined up and entered one by one. Everyone greeted us warmly, even though they weren’t completely familiar with us. We girls just loved it! And then it was time for a waltz with my father. I was so nervous thinking that I would forget the steps, but I acted like I knew everything. The different lights played with my dress, making it change colour every time I moved. I know it sounds predictable, but it was nothing short of a fairytale. Once the formal part of the ball was over, it was literally party time for all of us. We kicked off our shoes, and danced the night away. The food was prepared by Chef Christopher Hache, the Michelin-starred chef who heads the kitchens at Hôtel de Crillon— I haven’t tasted vegetarian food like that anywhere. To me, the whole experience was truly unbelievable, and I’m so glad I was a part of it!