Having a Ball
FINERY AND FESTIVITIES
IN A DEBUTANTE YEAR
by katy danos
When 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
With Flying Colors Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall
CHAPTER IV CHAPTER V
The Plume Boom Birds of a Feather
14 ADORE • MARCH 2020