At the world’s most exclusive debutante ball, often dubbed the “Met Gala for teenagers,” Ella Wadia made her Le Bal des Débutantes debut this weekend in Paris. Wadia, the great-great-granddaughter of Pakistan’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah, attended the event at the opulent Shangri-La Paris hotel, once home to Prince Roland Bonaparte.
Ella Wadia in Elie Saab Haute Couture pic.twitter.com/imZBXqHOE4
— Diva of Venus (@thevenusiandiva) November 30, 2025
Le Bal invites just 20 women under 21 from prominent families worldwide to waltz, pose, and step into the international social spotlight. This year, amidst princesses, heiresses, and Hollywood legacies, Ella stood out in a strapless Elie Saab gown featuring a sleek, body-hugging silhouette, drawing attention for both her style and her lineage.
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Ella descends from Jinnah through his only daughter, Dina Wadia, who married Neville Wadia of the Parsi industrialist family. Their grandson Nusli Wadia became a key figure in Indian business, chairing the Wadia Group, with sons Jehangir and Ness Wadia continuing the family legacy. Ella is the daughter of Jehangir Wadia, managing director of Bombay Dyeing and other ventures, and fashion designer Celina Wadia. She and her brother represent the latest generation connecting Karachi, Bombay, and now Paris.
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Le Bal, formerly the Crillon Ball, has evolved since 1958 into a glamorous gathering for society’s next “It girls.” Over Thanksgiving weekend, debutantes wear couture gowns costing $50,000–$100,000, often accessorized with high-value jewellery, and create memorable moments under chandelier-lit rooms overlooking the Eiffel Tower. Past attendees include Margaret Qualley, Lily Collins, and Ava Phillippe.
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Event planner Ophélie Renouard emphasises that Le Bal celebrates the debutantes themselves—style, individuality, and friendships—rather than traditional societal expectations. Each participant collaborates with a couture house to design a custom gown, following only the rule to avoid black or white.