Ava Phillippe Says Her Paris Debutante Ball Debut Felt Like a 'Dream'

Reese Witherspoon's look-alike daughter is still soaking in her big day

Published on November 29, 2017 11:40 AM

Ava Phillippe is still soaking in her Parisian fashion fairytale! The 18-year-old daughter of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe made her grand debut into society at Saturday’s Bal des Debutantes in Paris. And four days later, she still can’t believe it was real.

“Last week felt like a dream, and I am so grateful to have so many beautiful memories from this adventure,” she captioned an Instagram photo showing off the size of the skirt on her Giambattista Valli Haute Couture ballgown – a gown which mom Reese Witherspoon told PeopleStyle at a Tiffany & Co. event that she helped pick out “a little bit, yeah.” She added, “Giambattista Valli is a dear friend and he makes beautiful designs so we were happy and so honored that she got to wear his dress.”

Phillippe wrote of the event on her Instagram, “I am so thrilled to have had the opportunity to meet so many beautiful, kind, supportive, and passionate young women (and men!) at Le Bal. I also feel so privileged to take part in this event knowing that it is raising money for both the Seleni Institute and Enfants d’Asie, two organizations supporting very important causes.”

According to Le Bal’s Instagram account, it looks like Phillippe was considering wearing other options from Giambattista Valli including a purple pleated long-sleeve dress and green and pink ballgown with floral appliqués.

Phillippe was escorted by Maharaja Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur, a polo player on India’s national team, who danced the waltz together to a song from La La Land.

The event began in 1992 by Ophélie Renouard, and includes young women from notable families from all around the world. Also in attendance this year was Steve Harvey’s daughter Lori Harvey, who chose a feathery black Elie Saab gown for the occasion.

If you’re wondering what took her so long to post a pic of such a milestone event, she is a busy 18-year-old after all! “I know this post is super late but I am recovering from some major jetlag/getting back to school,” she explained.