26/11 the dreaded date for many, is one date that will go down in history for Leana Mallya, daughter of Vijay Mallya. Leana who has been living in Paris for last few weeks for the shoot of a fashion glossy in Dior Couture was approached by Le Bal Crillon over two years back and the liquor baron had readily agreed.
Vijay Mallya tweeted on Sunday saying, “Very proud to waltz with my daughter Leana at the Le debutante ball in Paris. Kids grow up so quick but will always be babies in my heart.”
Bal de Debutantes, or Le Bal de Crillon as it is more popularly known, happens every year at the Hotel De Crillon in Paris where daughters of the world’s rich and famous royalty, stars and industrialists are invited to make their debut in high society. These modern day debutantes get to wear a global designer dress and are escorted by equally eligible guys as their dates. It’s the surprise element of who one is seated with at the ball that adds to the fervour of the evening and it’s only understood that once there the career path of that person changes forever.
Preetham Basappa, race horse owner couldn’t hold his horses when speaking about his niece Leana, “It’s fabulous considering the kind of high-profile-only-20 girls of the likes of daughters of Bruce Willis and Bush are invited for this ball. She’s my niece, but since she lives in the US, I couldn’t partake in the celebrations. I’ve been in constant touch and just hope that this is a stepping stone. What she achieves after this is going to be phenomenal. She’s a very focused and grounded kid. It goes without saying that she’s also very stylish and deserves this.”
Fashion guru, Prasad Bidapa, who is touted to be close to the liquor baron and his family says, “I’m aware that Leana was invited to be a guest at the ball and she was in Paris. I’m very happy for her as this is an automatic entry to high society, where she will meet people who can take her to a different level. I’m sure she would have looked gorgeous in a Dior creation.”
Another close friend and designer Manoviraj Khosla agrees, “It’s a great thing for Leana to have got this invite. I’m happy for her as she truly deserves this.”
The other Indian this year who shared the limelight is Shaiyra Devi, granddaughter of the Maharaja of Kapurthala who wore a Hemant Sagar and Didier Lecoanet dress.