Apple Martin was not the only Hollywood scion making their society debut at Le Bal des Débutantes in Paris over the weekend. Also in attendance? One Lucia Ponti, the 18-year-old granddaughter of legendary Italian screen siren Sophia Loren.
This year’s ball, now a charity gala, was held in the gilded halls of Paris’s Shangri-La Hotel, and saw 19 young women donning designer ballgowns and dancing with “knights”. Brown University student Lucia, the daughter of director Edoardo Ponti and actress Sasha Alexander, wore a gown by Armani for the occasion – a designer, and a house, that her grandmother has a long history with.
Lucia spoke to Vogue Italia in the run-up to the event.
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What does it mean to you to participate in an event as iconic as the Bal des débutantes?
Being involved in the Debutante Ball means so much to me, considering the organisations, like ARCFA and Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in New York, that they support and raise funds for. It is inspiring to be part of a platform that highlights and supports charitable causes that I deeply appreciate, as well as honouring tradition and the multitude of women who have gone before me.
Le Bal has a long history. What do you think is its significance today?
Today the significance of Le Bal is strongly linked to support for ARCFA and Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in New York. I also think the meaning has changed to focus more on women’s confidence and courage, now showing a lot of feminist progression from its original and traditional roots.
