Daughters of the world’s most elite and rich households splash out $20k to attend the seventieth annual International Debutante Ball

Young women from around the world put on a glamorous display last night as they attended the 70th International Debutante Ball at the Plaza Hotel in New York.

The invitation-only event is a mainstay of the city’s social scene and is considered one of the most prestigious of its kind, with the entry fee for previous years reportedly exceeding $20,000.

The bash, which introduces well-connected young women to high society, last night saw more than 30 debutantes representing Denmark, France, India, Mexico, the UK, Sweden, South Korea and nine American states.

This year’s gathering kicked off on Saturday night, with debutantes departing into the early hours of Sunday morning. 

Each of the girls made their society debut in style, donning dazzling white gowns with matching white, silk gloves and glittering jewels. Only the debutantes were permitted to wear white for the evening.

They were each accompanied by an escort, who were all smartly decked out in full evening dress – black tail coat, black trousers, white shirt with pique front, white pique vest, white tie and white gloves.

Escorts can be a brother, family member or close family friend around her age, or the committee can assign escorts. 

The dress code for the debutantes’ fathers is the same, with full evening dress required, though no white gloves for this group. 

This year’s International Debutante Ball was an elaborate affair, kicking off at 6.30pm on Saturday with a receiving line and cocktails for those in attendance.

Afterwards, the 31 debutantes, their escorts and families enjoyed a dinner and dancing.

The main event of the night took place at 10pm, when each of the girls were presented to high society in turn as orchestral music played in the background.

Founded in 1954 by Beatrice Dinsmore Joyce, the ball has welcomed debutantes from 75 countries over the years.   

The majority of attendees hail from the US, with France, England, Italy and Germany then being represented most frequently.

Among the high society guests to have graced the ball are daughters and granddaughters of United States Presidents and United States representatives.

They include the three granddaughters and four great-granddaughters of President Eisenhower, both daughters and one granddaughter of President Nixon, two granddaughters of President Johnson and one granddaughter of President Bush. 

In order to snag an invitation to the ball, debutantes must be recommended by a previous debutante of the event. 

They then must also be accepted by the Chairmen of the Debutante Committee of the International Debutante Ball – as well as being able to afford the debutante presentation fee. 

This has previously been reported to be around $22,000, which the ladies must pay to be a part of the event, which is a benefit for a number of charities, including the Soldiers’, Sailors’, Marines’, Coast Guard and Airmen’s Club of New York City. 

These expenses, combined with the costs of travel, accommodations and tickets for friends and family make the evening a costly one.

However, one thing the ladies do not have to worry about paying for though are their male escorts for the evening.

In the past, they were provided by West Point but now must be obtained by the families of the young women, though the Ball’s directors are happy to help with that task. 

To be selected for the ball, debutantes must be ‘women of distinction’, who come from well-connected families, and are accomplished in athletics, community service, academics, philanthropy and charity. 

This year, the International Debutante Ball was chaired by Julia Irene Dennie-Kauffman, David Hamilton and Gregory S. Hedberg.