Adore March 2020

Having a Ball

FINERY AND FESTIVITIES IN A DEBUTANTE YEAR

by katy danos

W hen one of my closest friend's niece, Kelly Batt, started to talk about her upcoming debutante season, I jumped at the chance to go behind the scenes and down my own memory lane. You see, when I was in college, my part time jobs included working for the top party planner and dress designers of the day. Although my duties primarily included addressing invitations, scheduling fittings, and organizing fabrics and trim, the many layers of craft, commerce, and artistry involved in these businesses completely captured my imagination. It was amazing to see a creative party theme come to fruition after months of detailed planning, and I

have yet to tire of seeing a bolt of fragile fabric become a once in a lifetime gown.

In Kelly, I had a kindred spirit: she loves art, fashion, family, and tradition. I knew that joining her at dress fittings, parties, and day of the ball preparations would give me a perfect vantage point for seeing how "things are done today." With great excitement, I can say that this facet of Mardi Gras is as stunning and imaginative as ever. Our city is bursting with talent. My bird's eye view of one debutante's season confirms what I already knew: there is truly no place like New Orleans.

CHAPTER I

The Allure of Couture

CHAPTER II

CHAPTER III Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall

With Flying Colors

CHAPTER IV

CHAPTER V

Birds of a Feather

The Plume Boom

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ADORE • MARCH 2020