Every year, Paris hosts a night that feels like it’s been lifted straight out of a fairytale. It’s an evening where heritage, elegance and tradition blend effortlessly, as young women from notable families around the world walk into society with grace. This celebrated event, known as Le Bal des Débutantes, or simply Le Bal, once again brought together a small circle of debutantes—each with a story, a lineage and a moment of their own.
This year’s gathering took place on November 29 at the Shangri-La Hotel, and among the debutantes was Ella Wadia, who carries a family history that stretches across countries and generations. She is the great-great-granddaughter of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the man who led the creation of Pakistan. Her lineage has woven itself through different cultures and families over time, eventually leading to her appearance on the grand Parisian stage.
The story of her connection goes back to Jinnah’s daughter, Dina, who married Neville Wadia from the prominent Wadia industrial family. Their son Nusli went on to build a strong name in industry, and his son Jehangir Wadia—Ella’s father—continued the legacy as a business leader. Ella’s mother, Celina Wadia, is known for her work in fashion, and together they form a family that has blended history, industry and creativity.
For her debut, Ella wore a striking strapless haute couture gown by Elie Saab. It shimmered with detailed embellishments and followed a fitted silhouette that turned heads as she entered the ballroom. The gown suited the occasion perfectly—timeless yet modern, elegant yet expressive.
Le Bal brought together debutantes from across the globe. Among them were young women from historic aristocratic families and the worlds of culture and entertainment, each stepping into the limelight on an evening that has come to symbolize both tradition and the promise of a new chapter.
