Girls will be girls… But some get to be princesses: Little J made her debut at cotillion on the TV series Gossip Girl a few weeks ago; Disney’s new fairytale movie (The Princess and the Frog) premiers later in Dec; and 25 ladies from around the world participated in the 19^th Bal Crillon des Debutantes at the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris over Thanksgiving weekend.

Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines a debutante (deb) as “a young woman making her formal entry into society”.  The Bal’s guests are culled globally from well-to-do and/or famous daughters; they’re paired with a Prince Charming (aka a Pedigreed Cavalier) and best of all with a fairy godmother (in the form of a fashion designer) who bestows a gown. 

Several factions of royalty appeared at the 2009 Bal: 1) political, 2) Hollywood, and 3) nouveau… The political princesses included Lady Kitty Spencer in Bruce Oldfield, Indian imperial Adishree Singh in Ritu Beri, and Princess Anne-Helene d’Arenberg in Nina Ricci (Peter Copping is no Olivier Theyskens, but he’ll do). 

Hollywood was represented by Scout Willis in Christian Lacroix (vivre Lacroix!), Francesca Eastwood in Dolce & Gabbana, and Autumn Whitaker in Jason Wu (who also designed First Lady Michelle Obama’s inaugural gown earlier this year).  Finally, blogging wunderkind Jane Aldridge in Chanel ruled the nouveau royalty category, paving the way for future plain Janes to become princesses (for a night at least).

For fancy frocks in the same spirit as the ones paraded by the debs, consider some of the designs from the UsTrendy Store. 

For cocktail attire, try: nadia's 'flower dress', and Sonu Dullo Mills' 'Kumari' above.  For floor-length, check out Greta Bayo's 'Sequined Gown' & Alix Bonneau's 'Dress Garconne' below... Inspiration abounds for your next holiday party look.

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