International Debutante Ball

Over the years the ball has benefited numerous charities from the International Debutante Ball Foundation including the Soldiers', Sailors', Marines', Coast Guard and Airmen's Club of New York, a social club for members of the United States Armed Services.

[11][12] The band leader Lester Lanin played the music from the start in 1954 until his last ball in the 1990s.

[23][24] At the ball, each debutante is escorted by two men: one United States Military Academy cadet and one American civilian.

[25] According to New York magazine, the current organizer of the International Debutante Ball stated that "Every young lady should have two men.

[5] Each debutante must also greet approximately one thousand or more guests, from a close-knit social world, individually in the receiving line.

[4][27] The dress code for civilian escorts and guests is white tie and formal wear.

[4][23][29][31][32] The pink invitation that the chosen debutantes receive is written with gold ink and is therefore sometimes jokingly called the "Golden Ticket".

The scene at the International Debutante Ball has been described as a "Gatsby-style splendour in Manhattan's Waldorf-Astoria" (referring to F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby).

[37] Debutantes who are usually accepted are "women of distinction" who are highly accomplished young ladies in athletics, community service, academics, philanthropy and charity and are from well-connected families.

Ivanka Trump (daughter of President Donald Trump) and Sasha and Malia Obama (daughters of President Barack Obama) have also been invited to be presented as debutantes at the International Debutante Ball in New York City.