Beauty and brains

Tradition rules at the Kappa Alpha Theta’s Bal d’Hiver

By: Ellen Nelson

Published On: December 27, 2011

As 62 of Nashville’s finest young ladies were presented at The Bal d’Hiver, Nashville’s oldest debutante ball, the whisperings of “Ooh,” “Aah” and “Isn’t she adorable?” became something of a chorus-like refrain for the evening.

That’s only right seeing that this group of college seniors were being presented to society—with their glowing, youthful complexions and their pristine white gowns—while Sarah Ann Ezzell read off the ladies’ many accomplishments and ambitions. Whew! These are some accomplished young women that Kappa Alpha Theta wisely selected to honor at The Loews Vanderbilt Hotel for their 63rd annual coming-out event that benefits CASA, Family & Children’s Service and the Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation.

While it’s nigh on impossible not to be impressed by the girls, it’s equally difficult not to be touched by the event. After all, the debs are presented by their handsome fathers in large part, who walk proudly behind their daughters after handing them off to their white-tie and tail-clad escorts for the evening. Each year, we enjoy watching this walk down the aisle and seeing how the genes of the fathers transfer into feminine beauty of the girls.

Let us not forget the precious Pages of the Court—Miss Lillian St. Clair Bartholomew, 6, escorted by Alfred Thompson Adams IV, 5, and Miss Lana Camille Dismukes, 6, escorted by Stanhope Alexander Sifford, 6. The little ones were ready for a workout as they excitedly scampered back and forth, presenting bouquets to each deb.

Loews outdid themselves with a fabulous dinner that featured a salad comprised of Bibb lettuce, a red beet nest, sautéed apples and figs, candied nuts and balsamic drizzle and a croustade with pistachio-encrusted goat medallion; a main course of seared filet with fried onion straws, Swiss chard, wild mushroom risotto, roasted cipollini, haricot vert, Brussels sprouts and baby carrots; and, for dessert, a chocolate cobbler with Dulce de Leche ice cream.

Just as delicious as the dinner was the décor, courtesy of Jim Knestrick of Knestrick by Design. Chocolate brown silk with a matching creamy overlay of embroidery cloaked the tables while tall cylinder vases and bubble vases filled with candles and white orchids cast a beautiful glow onto the guests.

After dinner, it was all about shaking it on the dance floor to the grooves of the Atlanta Allstars.

The night concluded with desserts as sweet as the new debs. The Pied Piper dished out homemade ice cream with fun names and flavors—The Cat’s Meow, Trailer Trash, chocolate and a sorbet of Pear and Riesling called The Paris Hilton.

Hmm…Paris Hilton. We think the Bal Court most definitely has a leg up on Miss Paris.

—Ellen Nelson, Photographs by Susan Adcock