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If you are at least 18 and have excellent left-hand waltz skills, then the Annual Vienna Opera Ball is just the place to find yourself an appropriate suitor. Unlike other ‘debutant balls’ in Europe, this one is even open to plebs.

Last Thursday night at the Vienna Opera Ball, over 160 debutantes and their white-tied escorts waltzed across the ground floor of the Vienna State Opera in a dazzling ode to old-school traditions. Each of the girls wore a white dress, some in ivory silk, others in proper ball gowns – with the tops of their pretty heads decorated by Swarovski tiaras as part of the event’s tradition.

Despite harking back to times when young women were paraded around like new cars at a motor show, the annual event is still hugely popular in Austria, attracting big TV audiences, celebrity guests, and even the Austrian president.

Debutante balls may seem outdated in the real world, there are still numerous of these ‘upmarket singles events’ held all over the world, but the Annual Vienna Opera Ball is at least open to anyone.

Each year, almost overnight, the auditorium of the Vienna State Opera is turned into a large ballroom. On the eve of the event, the rows of seats are removed from the stalls, and a new floor, level with the stage, is built. The dress code is evening dress: white tie and tails for men and strictly floor-length gowns for women. White opera gloves are still mandatory for female debutantes.

 

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The idea of debutant balls has always been to present young women of aristocratic or upper-class family backgrounds to society at a formal “debut”. Vienna still maintains this tradition with no fewer than 28 balls being held during ball season from 1 January to 1 March.

 

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Unlike the Vienna Opera, to gain admission to a debutante ball, debutantes must usually be recommended by a ‘distinguished committee’ or sponsored by an established member of ‘élite society’, typically their mothers or other female relatives.

Events like these may not sit well with everyone, but at least the Vienna Opera Ball is more inclusive, even featuring its first-ever same-sex couple in 2022.

If you are interested in debuting your Cinderella, why not apply to have them included in the Young Ladies and Young Men’s Committee next year? Unless they have a royal cousin they could marry.

[source:vanityfair]