Le Bal in 24 Hours: Tiaras and Tik Tok, Haute Couture and Slim Cigarettes, Waltz and the Spice Girls

After months of preparation and two frenetic days in which the 19 debutantes have spent several hours perfectly dressed and made up, posing for pictures and rehearsing the dance steps, the most awaited moment arrives just after dessert. It was time for the waltz, which began with the debutantes and their chevaliers—a traditional Blue Danube—then with their parents—the theme to La La Land—and finally disco music —Likke Li, Dua Lipa, or the Spice Girls. (And after that, they’d take off their tiaras and tulles before running to a trendy club for the after party.)

After the debutantes, the parents, and the hostess enjoyed an ovation, we were able to verify a universal truth. Whether it is a descendant of Winston Churchill, a Windsor, or a von un zu Franckestein, everyone is looking for the same thing: a toast, some dancing, and some TikToks.

Carolina Lansing poses among the chevaliers.

Jonathan Becker

Originally published in Vanity Fair Spain.