Courtney B. Vance and Angela Bassett's daughter, Bronwyn, is stepping into the spotlight as she prepares to make her debut at the 2025 Le Bal des Débutantes, and for the milestone event, the 19-year-old and her Oscar-winning mother partnered with renowned French designer Stéphane Rolland to bring their exquisite gowns to life.
"The dress makes me feel like a Disney princess in the best way possible!" Bronwyn tells HELLO! of the gown, which will be unveiled on Saturday, November 29 at the ball. "It is probably the largest , gown at the ball this year so I definitely will make a statement when I’m in a room, and it’s a bit annoying for other people to walk around me, so I feel bad for that. I have never seen such a beautiful dress on myself, and I know Stéphane and his team worked so hard on this dress, so I am so honored to be wearing it in Paris."
© BestimageAhead of the ball, 9-1-1 actress Angela and Harvard student Brownyn attended a dress fitting at Stéphane's couture house in Paris, with these exclusive images giving a glimpse into their outfits with Angela in an ethereal waterfall dress featuring an off-the-shoulder neckline, draped sleeves, and intricate pearl detailing that falls from the neckline along the bodice.
Bronwyn, pictured in a pre-ball dress, wears rust-orange gown that beautifully highlights her skin, and features an asymmetric neckline with one sleeveless side and one full sleeve. The garment includes ruched draping and a figure-hugging skirt silhouette.
The debutante ball is held annually in Paris and sees young ladies from royalty, aristocracy, and the most influential families in the worlds of business and the arts make their formal entrance into society. The event dates back to 1957, and this year's ball will take place on November 29, 2025. Ladies from over five nations set to grace the Shangri-La Hotel, the former palace of Prince Roland Bonaparte, which overlooks the Eiffel Tower, in silk, tulle, and embellished gowns.
Other debutantes includes Eulalia de Orleans-Borbón, daughter of businessman Álvaro de Orleans-Borbón, Lady Araminta Spencer-Churchill, a relative of Prince William and Prince Harry, and Carolina B. Lansing, granddaughter of fashion designer Carolina Herrera – both among the distinguished young women set to gather at the renowned venue.
© BestimageSketches of the dress
Bronwyn was involved in designing the dress, asking Stéphane for a “flowy” dress. His response?
"It must be BIG!"
"He completely drew and designed the entire dress; I just wanted to feel beautiful and I knew his professional eye knew how to make that come true," says Bronwyn.
© BestimageAngela's dress
Parents are a key part of the event, and their presence is traditional. Both Angela and husband Courtney will attend, and be involved in the official photography, watch their daughters perform the opening waltz, and participate in the evening's choreography.
Angela will be wearing a "beautiful" gown by Jenny Packham with jewels by Stephane. "
"I'm most looking forward to meeting a ballroom full of proud and adoring parents," says Angela.
© BestimageMother and daughter moment
Bronwyn was raised in Los Angeles and is currently a year into a film course at Harvard, where she is a member of a Black art collective and works on the university radio station.
In her free time, Bronwyn plays lacrosse, piano, and guitar, and has credited her mother with bringing a joy of music into her life.
Their son Slater, and Bronwyn's twin brother, will perform the role of her cavalier; previously a huge part in debutante balls, the cavaliers at Les Bal des Débutantes are instead secondary to the young women.
© BestimageFather and daughter moment
In 2022, Bronwyn created a campaign for the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), which raised over $60,000 in less than two months.
Philanthropy and community building are core to the ethos of the ball.
