A Look Back at the Premiere Debutante Ball for the Young Scions of Powerful and Rich: Fashion Trends, Notable Attendees and More
Since 1954, the International Debutante Ball has been a premiere event for the young scions of notable U.S. families to make their official debut in society. Debutantes throughout the past six decades have included Patricia Nixon and Julie Nixon Eisenhower, Lyndon B. Johnson’s granddaughter Lucinda Robb, two of Dwight D. Eisenhower’s granddaughters, Ashley Walker Bush, Cornelia Guest, Vera Wang and numerous princesses.
WWD covered the inaugural ball held at The Plaza hotel in New York. An article in the Nov. 26, 1954, issue reported on the fashion and accessory trends from the event. Jeweled hair ornaments, such as a pearl clasp and rhinestone headband, were popular, while “floor-length bouffant gowns in white nylon tulle with elaborate embroidery was the popular choice of the youthful guests.” The majority of attendees at the first ball wore white strapless gowns in a variety of silks, many of which also featured contrasting pastel fabric midriff panels.
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A few years later in 1959, the International Debutante Ball was held at the Sheraton Astor Hotel and featured gowns with elaborate embroidery worn by international attendees; tulle was a favorite fabric as well as luxurious silks. Donna Isabella di Soragna of Italy wore a Balmain lace gown that stood out for its bronze sequins and brown chiffon at the neckline. Long white gloves were worn by all debs. “Debutantes are still wearing long hair-dos, for the most part,” a WWD reporter noted.
In 1960, bouffant gowns in satin and peau de soie were chosen by the majority of attendees, accessorized with long white gloves and pearl accents. “Covered-up necklines” were popular, and slim gown silhouettes with wide belts were a chance to show individuality, such as the look worn by Thailand’s Princess Wimla Chakrabandhu. “It was evident these young debutantes liked dresses with taut wide midriffs,” reported WWD. Beehive hairdos were another signal of individuality, while the American debutantes preferred longer hair styles. Pearls and thin gold chains with dangling pearl pendants were popular necklaces; many attendees opted for a strand of pearls worn with a short gold chain, and a few wore necklaces with long strands of pearls hanging down their backs.
In 1966, plain and simple dresses proved popular. “The day of the fussy gown is gone,” WWD reporter Linda Ashland wrote, adding that the trend toward simplicity was “what the new debs want.” Elizabeth Price, who wore a dress designed by Joel Schumacher, told WWD, “I like young and simple things. I don’t want it [the dress] to look real party-ish.” Fellow debutante Ann Gould said that Maximilian designer Nico Terzi was working on her ball dress. “I want it to be plain and slightly fitted,” she said.
Debutantes at the 13th International Debutante Ball in 1967 included Barbara Anne Eisenhower, who purchased her white peau de soie dress with Empire waist, scoop neck and daisy embroidery from Saks Fifth Avenue. Other debutantes that year included Ann Louise Howard, the niece of Vice President Hubert Humphrey, Winston Churchill’s cousin Catherine Spencer and Countess Gunilla von Bismarck; Jackie Astor made her second debut that year after hosting her own dance on Long Island. Princess Georgina de Faucigny-Lucinge of France wore a dress designed by Dior’s Marc Bohan.
“You may hear all kinds of doom and gloom about the coming-out parties,” wrote WWD reporter Eugenia Sheppard. “But the big Debutante Balls keep on getting bigger and better each year.”
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