Coming of Age in America: Debutante Ball

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  • Опубліковано 23 січ 2018
  • In this feature, Arielle Hixson takes you inside the International Debutante Ball. Following Elizabeth Quick as she makes her formal introduction to society. All part of her series "Coming of Age in America."

КОМЕНТАРІ • 125

  • @mopthermopther
    @mopthermopther 5 років тому +163

    Your daughter wants a cotillion?
    Be prepared to spend a co-million

  • @imtheonewhobroughtthebeans915
    @imtheonewhobroughtthebeans915 4 роки тому +94

    I'm a deb myself, and what this doesn't show is the standard deb experience which usually involves four years of service, usually to an artistic institution in a community like a ballet or orchestra and additional community service through food pantries, public institutions, etc. The ball is just sort of a ritual, and though a lot of the comments seem to view it very negatively (and on the surface I 100% see why) it's just a silly tradition, which everyone has in one way or another, and not the core purpose of a debutante program, which is really to support some sort of institution. I kind of got tricked into being a deb by my friend who told me about the free classical concerts but not the big white dress, however the whole thing was a blast, and it was fun to get a little creative planning for the ball, finding a $150 gown on clearance and using my sewing skills to alter it to perfection. The video does get the party being a big, communal, sweet sixteen right, though. I didn't have a sweet sixteen, so a little "coming of age" ceremony before college was actually very fun. Of course I wasn't on the big name deb circut (nor did I want to be) but being a debutante in the modern age really isn't as horrific as some might imagine it to be. Like, yes it's very bougie and when unbridled capitalism inevitably sparks an American communist revolution we will be the first to die, but there's nothing sinister- big ritualistic sweet sixteen- nothing more.

    • @rainbowgirlism
      @rainbowgirlism 4 роки тому +1

      Were you at this one or elsewhere?

    • @imtheonewhobroughtthebeans915
      @imtheonewhobroughtthebeans915 4 роки тому +4

      Rebekah Needham Thanks for asking! No, nothing like this International Deb Ball. I was a deb through an organization in my suburban community that raised money for the arts and ushered at concerts. And the ball was more like a mini prom.

    • @rainbowgirlism
      @rainbowgirlism 4 роки тому

      @@imtheonewhobroughtthebeans915 Cool.

    • @bullshitradar3113
      @bullshitradar3113 3 роки тому +6

      Nothing wrong with dressing up and socializing. Sounds like you guys deserve to have a ball.

    • @bearcingetorix6326
      @bearcingetorix6326 3 роки тому +5

      Are you humble bragging about how your class will inevitably eat itself? Strange flex, but ok.

  • @msab4883
    @msab4883 3 роки тому +79

    Borat 2 brought me here

    • @morenag.7769
      @morenag.7769 3 роки тому

      Lmfaoooo.....I saw it! & I ummmm was appalled but I did lmfao when that one girl did like the only single clap!!! & it was a dead silence besides that one single clap!

    • @MegaJakerobinson
      @MegaJakerobinson 3 роки тому

      Me too

    • @dvdhr1
      @dvdhr1 3 роки тому

      $501

  • @gwynethchloe
    @gwynethchloe 5 років тому +48

    This is also done in the Philippines, but not just white dresses. We have big 18th birthday debuts, which I’m personally having in a few months. But instead of many debutantes, I’m the only debutante and basically it’s my own debutante ball. I’m so excited👏🏻👏🏻

    • @rainbowgirlism
      @rainbowgirlism 5 років тому +2

      gwyneth chloe gilana I like the Phillipino way better. .,......less elitist

    • @shishi6799
      @shishi6799 5 років тому +6

      The 18th birthday début in the Philippines is more like a "Sweet 16" party or a latino Quinceañera party. It may not look much in the video but this débutant ball's presentation fee is a whopping $22,000 (1.1 Million Philippine Pesos) 😱. That's the fee for attending only, not counting the gown, jewelry, etc. Plus, it's by invitation only. You can only be a débutante there by being recommended by the committee or by a previous dèbutante. No wonder why they call it very elitist!
      The débutante event at Vienna Opernball is much, much enjoyable, elegant-looking than this Interantional DB and a plenty times cheaper too (even cheaper than one lavish Philippine debut party).

    • @rainbowgirlism
      @rainbowgirlism 4 роки тому

      @@shishi6799 And the vienna opernball is open to a wider range of people..

    • @rivenoak
      @rivenoak 4 роки тому

      @@rainbowgirlism yes and no. some debutants are there just because the family is known enough (or you are current "Miss/Mister Austria"), but everybody between 17-24 years could file for admission. cheaper not so much, if you want a box for the whole family or the family travels to vienna from far away and thus needs hotel rooms. :)

    • @rainbowgirlism
      @rainbowgirlism 4 роки тому

      @@rivenoak I didn't say it was open to everybody, just to a somewhat wider range of people than some debutante balls. For example, the St. Cecilia debutante ball in Charleston, S
      C. is by heritage, and you basically have to be in a long line of descendants going all the way back to Charleston's original wealthy founders. Now that's VERY exclusive!

  • @limerence8365
    @limerence8365 3 роки тому +7

    In Ireland the Deb's is just prom. It takes place the summer after graduating. Everyone can take part and it carries a little more class than a prom because it takes place in a fancy venue instead of the gym.

  • @568843daw
    @568843daw Рік тому +1

    My grandmother was a participant in a debutante Ball in 1914. We have a picture of her. She was absolutely beautiful. She said it was a right of passage for a young women. She was expected to do it, as her mother had done and her grandmother.

  • @ryanp9458
    @ryanp9458 3 роки тому +40

    So in conclusion it's not a pretentious snob party, it's more like a prom for rich kids who enjoy the history and tradition......seems a lot more benevolent than people think

    • @AdelineCowgirl
      @AdelineCowgirl Рік тому

      They're also expected to do a lot of community service for several years prior, and the proceeds usually go to a charity.
      There's no way to get around the rich kid part though. I've heard some "only" cost a few hundred dollars, but here in Dallas, each debutante has to pay $14,000 to attend. That doesn't include the dress or anything else. Ticket packages sell for as much as $50,000.

  • @CaladonianQueen
    @CaladonianQueen 4 роки тому +112

    Those are the most ridiculous curtsires I've ever seen.

    • @rainbowgirlism
      @rainbowgirlism 4 роки тому +13

      It's called a Texas dip. I don't disagree with you, just explaining.

    • @salenow8866
      @salenow8866 4 роки тому +2

      Yes, each and every one.

    • @edwrdseaga63
      @edwrdseaga63 4 роки тому +3

      Like the Maya rudloph poo scene in bridesmaids. Anyone remember that?

    • @user-eu2me4bp7j
      @user-eu2me4bp7j 3 роки тому +3

      There was nothing elegant about that curtsy from the Texas girl.

    • @edwrdseaga63
      @edwrdseaga63 3 роки тому

      @@rainbowgirlism Thank you for information - will avoid the 'Texas DIP' at all cost.

  • @stuartlee6622
    @stuartlee6622 2 роки тому +5

    Barbara Hutton had her own debut.

  • @sydney8145
    @sydney8145 3 роки тому +21

    Why do I want to go to one so bad............. am I okay?

    • @anthonyaranda5561
      @anthonyaranda5561 3 роки тому +3

      id say yes you are ok. it is kinda stupid but todays society is missing all these rights of passage and initiation leaving people wondering where they stand. when are you a man if you never have a bar mitzvah or put your hands into the bullet ant mitts? when are you a woman when you havnt been a debutante or had a bat mitzvah? its hard for a father to be prepared to see his daughter as a woman and its hard for a young daughter (or any young person) to respect that they are not grown even when they think they are but all this is made easier when we all know there is a clear time when this change happens and we can expect it from birth through childhood and teen years until that day comes instead of having some long drawn out transition where the start and end are unclear and it is different for every person. another point is the whole glamour of the deal. western women are definitely brainwashed to want and desire big glamorous parties with fancy dresses where they get to be the center of attention. other events of note are proms and weddings where men are involved but clearly not the focus. but we are all brainwashed in different ways so again yes its valid to ask "am i okay" but id say yes considering the world we live in and the level of brainwashing we are exposed to.

    • @sydney8145
      @sydney8145 3 роки тому

      @@anthonyaranda5561 oh wow that was a lot, and yeah

    • @SHINeefan17
      @SHINeefan17 2 роки тому +1

      You can only attend them if you are from an upper class background

  • @Alexander-ys9dh
    @Alexander-ys9dh 4 роки тому +4

    I love this

  • @brianperry4713
    @brianperry4713 5 років тому +6

    I love it.

  • @margaretgaby2356
    @margaretgaby2356 2 роки тому

    Arielle, you have an excellent presenting voice!

  • @Sofia-hu8km
    @Sofia-hu8km 3 роки тому +20

    So... it's basically just a gringo version of a quince. Cool.

  • @renegadeace1735
    @renegadeace1735 3 роки тому +17

    I would like to create a gamer version of the debutante. No dress code, we walk our first desktop build down the isle.

    • @KMTepi
      @KMTepi Рік тому

      That would actually be very interesting, like a fancy party but for gamers and proper cool gaming setups

    • @WegraX
      @WegraX 14 годин тому

      Sounds kinda fucking gay

    • @renegadeace1735
      @renegadeace1735 14 годин тому

      @@WegraX yeah because as well all learned in middle school nerd = gay

  • @TheLaurkenGroup
    @TheLaurkenGroup 8 місяців тому

    The Texas Dip--you better have young Texas knees to pull that off

  • @animeevergreenathena
    @animeevergreenathena 2 місяці тому

    “The Critic” show brought me here, along with “Bojack Horseman.”

  • @scottymathieson9529
    @scottymathieson9529 9 місяців тому

    Wow love the diversity!

  • @dorys4051
    @dorys4051 4 роки тому +6

    I’ve never heard of cotillions before (I’m also from the west coast tho lol sooo)

  • @tuliplouart
    @tuliplouart 4 роки тому +78

    I love the idea of getting dressed up and being fancy or whatever, but “being presented”, and “going into society”, or “coming of age” is so bizarre to me. I don’t have anything to prove to society, let alone I big group of high class men. This just screams beauty competition lol

    • @michaelhenry3234
      @michaelhenry3234 4 роки тому +22

      Part of it is forming connections with other members of high class society. You don't have to prove anything to society, but if you're rich and you want to "play the game", so to speak, a debutante ball has its purpose. Essentially, it's for people who want to become part of society and thus desire to prove themselves.

    • @dorys4051
      @dorys4051 4 роки тому +12

      I think it started as a way to market young teenage girls to potential husbands

    • @Anonymous-wi6ig
      @Anonymous-wi6ig Рік тому

      @@dorys4051 ewww

  • @rv.9658
    @rv.9658 4 роки тому +75

    I aspire to dress like a homeless person and crash this pretentious event

    • @rivenoak
      @rivenoak 4 роки тому +3

      forget it, dress code is paramount. :D
      i know balls in europe who will gladly deny a gentleman landfall for the fail of necktie vs. bow tie and for ladies for the fail of incorrect robe length. whatever the mistake, you are out. amount of money spent already on admission fee and table reservations is irrelevant. ;)

    • @internetexplorer6304
      @internetexplorer6304 3 роки тому

      Or, get this, we have a debutante ball but HOBO STYLE. Torn T shirts and flannels for all!

    • @petlover0231
      @petlover0231 3 роки тому

      I like your attitude.

    • @rv.9658
      @rv.9658 3 роки тому +2

      @@petlover0231 ehh i'm kinda cringing at my comment 7 months later lol

    • @brooklynjenna8
      @brooklynjenna8 3 роки тому +6

      You're right to call it pretentious. Debutantes are an anachronistic perpetuation of a snobbery a class structure the world is trying to shed.

  • @ryn8613
    @ryn8613 2 роки тому +3

    I've never heard of these in Canada tbh. The upper class / high society people might have them but no average person experiences these

  • @CALLMESIR...
    @CALLMESIR... 8 місяців тому

    I dont get how people are so critical. Im into tradition. I know this seems silly to alot but this is their life. If you're not wealthy, you just dont understand. Just like they have no clue how it is to be a "normal" person that works hard 5 days a week, has bills to pay and grown up responsibilities. Many of them have never even been in a supermarket. Its night and day. I find their kind of life fascinating. I also like all the pomp with the royals. Tradition that goes back 1100 years and their still celebrating it.

  • @SF-wx1bu
    @SF-wx1bu 3 роки тому +8

    Wawaweewa...no moon blood?!?

  • @nikkil764
    @nikkil764 4 роки тому +25

    Lovely. So happy that some people still see the value of elegance. But why is the announcer wearing white at the ball. No one but the debs should be in white. A total faux pas. If she really was a Deb, she would know that.

    • @dmitriagnes
      @dmitriagnes 4 роки тому +2

      Faux pas or not, they showed a photo from her debut so I’m not sure what else you need to know about whether she was a deb or not. Let’s not forget that elegance is about being gracious as well...

    • @debgibson1334
      @debgibson1334 4 роки тому +2

      Monique Lehnhardt actually her dress is eggshell.....not white....and she was indeed a Debutante!

    • @AoiYumi1
      @AoiYumi1 4 роки тому +1

      Elegant? Y'all stab eachother with a stilleto for a waffle iron on black Friday.

    • @rainbowgirlism
      @rainbowgirlism 4 роки тому +1

      Well we only saw the too of her dress, so maybe the skirt was colored
      .otherwise, yeah that's a little too close..
      Just like for a wedding, since one is not supposed to wear white, I also don't wear eggshells, ivory, etc.
      Although the journalist was a debutante, I don't think she was one at the New York Waldorf Astoria ball.

    • @babeena_gt_3645
      @babeena_gt_3645 3 роки тому

      There is a difference between a ball gown nd a evening gown. Only Debs wear the ball gown.

  • @realkyo09
    @realkyo09 5 років тому +9

    00:06 wendy yu♡

  • @ringodingos-lk9by
    @ringodingos-lk9by 11 місяців тому

    Ferrari 👑🌹

  • @jasminnorthway3448
    @jasminnorthway3448 4 роки тому +8

    I’m having my deb but I’m doing the Filipino version of a deb which is better 😂

    • @virgie4715
      @virgie4715 4 роки тому +3

      • Partyxpoisxn • debutante balls have nothing to do with race. It’s about age, gender, and marriage.

    • @jasminnorthway3448
      @jasminnorthway3448 4 роки тому +5

      Ann Berlin actually in the Philippines it’s more of a quince instead fancy courting ritual

  • @grrrlbreaker
    @grrrlbreaker 4 місяці тому

    They didn't mention how the...gentlemen are expected to use their pockets to carry the deb's miscellaneous girl junk

  • @bella.9834
    @bella.9834 6 років тому +17

    MarriageMart

  • @mochafudgetruffle
    @mochafudgetruffle Рік тому +3

    I am more impressed with someone who works at McDonald's because they work hard for what they have and earn it, not through their parents or what society hands to them. There is something deeply wrong with a grown woman who wants to wear a tiara on her head.

    • @bettierusso5410
      @bettierusso5410 Рік тому +1

      It is sad to me that you even think this. A Debutante does work and is a scholar student. If you take the time to listen to the presentation, the young lady's career, goals, and college or University plans will be outlined in detail. It is by no means just handed to her by society. NOTHING is "deeply wrong" with a young lady coming of age as a confident, strong young woman that may want to become a debutante and EARN the title. Especially in the South, a young lady has worn many tiaras by the time she makes her debut. It usually is a familial honor handed down from many generations and signifies her ability to surmount all the world's obstacles and become a confident grown woman. She has classes, and a solid year or more (some programs actually have up to 4 years of dedicated work) before she can be presented and "make her bow". There are many hours dedicated to charity work as well. It is a wonderful honor that will be cherished throughout her life. As a side note; many of the young ladies may have worked at Mcdonald's in their lifetime...I know I did.

  • @rivenoak
    @rivenoak 4 роки тому +3

    no need to curtsy at a ball in europe, unless a dance choreo demands it. :p
    and nobody calls out your full names; be anonymous as much as you want.

  • @anthonyglee1710
    @anthonyglee1710 3 роки тому +4

    So basically a cattle market in posh dresses.

  • @r2b2.
    @r2b2. 3 роки тому

    2:57 gave me second hand embarrassment.

  • @user-qi6gm2iz3v
    @user-qi6gm2iz3v Рік тому

    I would feel like such a douche going to this lol

  • @sydneyhall7912
    @sydneyhall7912 2 роки тому

    is there a male equivalent to this ?

  • @boostedgusgus2313
    @boostedgusgus2313 4 роки тому +8

    Americans: deputant ball.
    Drug cartels: hold my beer. 😂🤣

    • @zebrino7167
      @zebrino7167 4 роки тому +1

      deBuante
      B ... not P

    • @babeena_gt_3645
      @babeena_gt_3645 3 роки тому +1

      You only think this way because you sadly have never met a elegant young lady from high society

    • @boostedgusgus2313
      @boostedgusgus2313 3 роки тому

      @@babeena_gt_3645 ya never know... 🤷‍♂️🤫 u will be surprised u see them out in the subarbs lmaooo

  • @andiemorgan961
    @andiemorgan961 4 роки тому +13

    This nonsense ended in Britain in the 50s! 😂

  • @facelessartist0603
    @facelessartist0603 Рік тому +1

    Imagine the hidden pressure to be as skinny as possible. I would die

  • @rafalmoniuszko5700
    @rafalmoniuszko5700 3 роки тому

    Woah put her back in, shes not done yet.

  • @Robskimask
    @Robskimask Рік тому +1

    Slave owner history

  • @jackimiller8511
    @jackimiller8511 3 роки тому +2

    2:18 No girl, no.

  • @joecolling2632
    @joecolling2632 4 роки тому +5

    How common! No breeding, just money and vulgar display.

  • @Copyrightbreaker22
    @Copyrightbreaker22 3 роки тому

    All seems a bit supervisial.

  • @TheNumerum
    @TheNumerum 5 років тому +20

    Ridiculous 😂😂😂

  • @sb6678
    @sb6678 2 роки тому

    They look as if they came out in 1902

  • @StephEWaterstram
    @StephEWaterstram 3 роки тому +1

    Heads up! I found a code word for this when a teenage girl feels She is ready to debutante She says "GO TIME" in a message. This can be as Young as 14. I'm not being a creepy dude on the matter, it's just there is a lot of Code talk People don't understand.

  • @shaniquehouston9054
    @shaniquehouston9054 2 роки тому

    Manga brought me here.

  • @Astranaughty
    @Astranaughty 2 роки тому

    LIKE CINDERELLA

  • @dickfitswell3437
    @dickfitswell3437 3 роки тому +2

    Alot of white... Alot

  • @bipedofthecentury9956
    @bipedofthecentury9956 3 роки тому

    "Can't wait for some guy form the old north state, who's father is a bean counter to drive down his skin flute down my breading hole"

  • @naomichavez9317
    @naomichavez9317 5 років тому +2

    It’s bullshit

  • @mdinunzio7610
    @mdinunzio7610 3 роки тому +2

    🙄

  • @Mr.Ambrose_Dyer_Armitage_Esq.

    01:15 This narrator has an excellent voice but seeing her visage, particularly with that nothing-behind-the-eyes, expectant dog expression...no, just no. This mini-documentary needs additional editing and I shall leave it at that.

  • @rebeccaschultz6048
    @rebeccaschultz6048 Рік тому

    So gross lol.

  • @Moribus_Artibus
    @Moribus_Artibus 5 років тому +8

    1:11 Ugh...how vulgar. Its now just some random business card passing event??
    Things were much better when it was centered around a marriage market

  • @anthonyk1234
    @anthonyk1234 Рік тому

    Now it’s a big waste of money for a look at me moment. It’s like modern weddings for western women.

    • @steezmunky
      @steezmunky Рік тому

      waste of money for the poor side of the world, i imagine it's not a thing for them

  • @Witchyrose2349
    @Witchyrose2349 Рік тому

    Ew