Apple Martin, the strange tradition of the debutante ball and the rapid swirl of social networks

It all starts at the heart of the 18th-century British court. In order to ensure a proper introduction to suitors who meet their expectations and education, young girls are invited to present themselves officially at court during a grand ball, wearing white dresses (representing purity), along with long white gloves and a tiara. This entrance into society was not only a presentation, but also marked the opening of the social calendar, allowing English elites to gather at high-profile parties and events. Today, while the immaculate dress is no longer a requirement, and the idea of such an event may seem ridiculous and terribly outdated to us common folk, the Debutante Ball remains an unmissable rite of passage for high society members. This year, this tradition made its way across the internet thanks to (or because of) Apple Martin, daughter of Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin.

Although this practice — which is neither feminist nor particularly useful in an era where a sea of suitors is just a click away — was abolished by Queen Elizabeth II in 1958, it made a grand return to French soil in 1992 thanks to (or, once again, because of) Ophélie Renouard. Today, the Paris Debutante Ball, also called "Le Bal", is a prestigious charity event that hosts 20 young girls and boys aged 16 to 22, from a dozen different countries each year. Recognized by Forbes in 2005 as one of the 10 most exclusive parties in the world, this event takes place annually in Paris. It’s no coincidence that this nuptial parade was recently dubbed the "nepo baby Met Gala", a nickname confirmed by the 2024 edition, which was mostly talked about thanks to the presence of Apple Martin, who overshadowed her fellow debutantes (if we can call them that) by posing as though she were shooting for the cover of Vogue.

Wearing a custom-made Valentino gown, Apple, with her spoiled child attitude, raises a question: if this tradition was once reserved for aristocracy, does it now suffice to have money to gain access to any castle’s gates? Forget the good manners, daddy is a rock star, so I slay, therefore I am. All this illusory splendor did not escape the Instagram vortex, always in search of a scandal, only growing the obsession with decoding the rich, their outfits, and their mannerisms. As for us, this circus in which the global golden youth is the main clown remains an interesting fashion spectacle to observe. After all, if we can’t play the princess in a beautiful dress searching for her prince charming, following the adventures of those living the château life is a perfectly acceptable alternative.