The glamorous event raises funds and awareness for two causes - Enfants d'Asie: Children of Asia, which provides care for close to 10,000 children in the form of shelter, medical care and food and education, in South East Asia. The other is The Seleni Institute, a non-profit organisation providing care, information and research funding, supporting the mental health of women and teenage mothers.

 

 

A post shared by Bhavana Pandey (@bhavanapandey) on Nov 26, 2017 at 6:53am PST

Ananya Pandey, daughter of Bollywood actor Chunky and his wife Bhavana Pandey, made her debut in high society at le Bal on November 25 at The Peninsula Hotel in Paris. Each year since 1992, 'le Bal', also referred to as le Bal des Débutantes, brings together 20 girls and 20 boys from a dozen nationalities. For an evening of couture, cavaliers and fund raising, the guests come from influential families across arts, politics, business and culture-make their grand entry into the uppermost echelons of society and high fashion.

 

Waltz Rehearsal Stunning in @khoslajani. Thank you .@abujanisandeepkhosla @saudamini08 @lebal.paris . 

A post shared by Bhavana Pandey (@bhavanapandey) on Nov 25, 2017 at 2:10am PST

A bevy of young Indian ladies have made their debut in high society at le Bal. Among these are Princess Adishree Singh of Jammu and Kashmir (2009), Shaiyara Devi of Kapurthala (2011), Isha Ambani and Ashna Mehta (2011), Princess Askshita Bhanjdeo of Mayurbhanj and Jaisalmer (2013), and Jayati Modi (2016).

This year, le Bal saw two more faces from India - Princess Gauravi Kumari of Jaipur and Ananya. Ananya was dressed by Jean Paul Gaultier, while Princess Gauravi was wearing a sari-inspired couture gown by Tarun Tahiliani. Fine jewellery by Payal New York, an eponymous label by Indian-origin Payal Mehta, was adorned by each participant.