Apple Martin, the 20-year-old daughter of Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, stepped into the limelight at the prestigious Le Bal des Débutantes in Paris on Saturday, November 30, 2024. The event marked a significant milestone for the young debutante, whose appearance ignited a buzz on social media.
A user comment on Apple Martin, dated December 1, 2024 | Source: Instagram/voguemagazine
Despite their divorce in 2015, Gwyneth and Chris reunited to support their daughter on her special evening. The proud parents were photographed together in Paris, celebrating Apple’s grand debut in high society.
Apple dazzled in a custom Valentino Haute Couture gown, designed by Creative Director Alessandro Michele. The “long evening dress” featured intricate vertical plissé details on the bodice, highlighted by a black silk bow at the waist. The gown perfectly complemented the grandeur of the evening.
Vogue Magazine also celebrated Apple’s big moment on Instagram, noting, “The daughter of Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin has largely kept out of the public eye, but tonight at Le Bal des Débutantes in Paris, Martin is marking a new chapter of life.”
A heartwarming video captured a tender father-daughter moment as the “Coldplay” frontman and Apple danced together during the event. The duo was seen laughing and chatting, showcasing the close bond they share. Apple also danced with her partner for the evening, Count Leo Henckel von Donnersmarck, making the evening even more memorable.
While Apple’s appearance at Le Bal des Débutantes was undeniably a momentous occasion, her couture gown drew a variety of reactions on social media, with fans and fashion enthusiasts offering both praise and critique.
Instagram users were quick to voice their opinions about Apple’s Valentino Haute Couture dress. Many admired her beauty but pointed out concerns about the gown’s fit and silhouette.
One user commented, “She’s beautiful. I want the bodice of that dress to fit better. It’s giving me anxiety.” Another echoed, “[Pull] the dress up!” A third noted, “That dress is unflattering looks like there is far too much space between the bust and the head [sic].”
A user comment on Apple Martin, dated December 1, 2024 | Source: Instagram/voguemagazine
Other users critiqued the overall design of the gown. One wrote, “There is something very awkward in the [silhouette] of that dress. The proportion between the top and the bottom and the structure of the corset and that low waist doesn’t really convince me. Not a flattering choice at all. It doesn’t really look like a custom dress.”
Another observed, “She is beautiful, I love the concept/color of the dress. The bodice fits a bit awkwardly and looks like it could fall at any moment though…” However, some users were more complimentary. “Gorgeous just like her mom,” one wrote, while another added, “She looks like her mother from [a] distance.”
Apple Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow are seen in a photo dated December 1, 2024 | Source: Instagram/gwynethpaltrow
Comments on Facebook mirrored the sentiments expressed on Instagram. “The dress could have been so much more flattering on such a beautiful girl!” one user remarked. Another shared, “The kids are beautiful of course, but the Martin genes are strong with them.” Meanwhile, a third user was more critical, stating, “That dress is terrible in any society.”
TikTok users also weighed in on Apple’s gown, offering mixed reviews. One user stated, “The bodice was too short for her body. Beautiful dress. Poorly tailored for her body.” Another said, “750 hours to make this dress so underwhelming [sic].”
Others pointed out fit issues, with one commenting, “The dress looks like it needs to be pulled up an inch.” Despite the critiques, some TikTok users focused on her natural beauty and resemblance to her parents. “[She] is beautiful like her mother,” one remarked, while another observed, “[She] looks like both of them!”
In a separate TikTok video capturing the daddy-daughter duo dancing at the ball, users shifted their focus to Apple’s resemblance to her parents. One user commented, “Dad’s Nose and Eyes. Mom’s mouth and face shape. 🥰” Another added, “She looks like Dad with her Mom’s mannerisms.” A third noted, “She has Gwyneth’s eyes.”
Apple’s debut at Le Bal des Débutantes not only spotlighted her elegance but also brought her family together in a stunning display of fashion and unity. With all family members donning Valentino designs, the evening became a memorable showcase of couture, creativity, and familial pride.
The debutante’s custom Valentino gown, which Vogue detailed extensively, was the epitome of haute couture. The strapless evening dress, designed in six dégradé tiers of ciel bleu silk plissé chiffon, was cinched at the waist with a black silk bow.
Alessandro, Valentino’s creative director, envisioned the design, which took 750 meticulous hours to craft. Apple paired the gown with matching Valentino sandals and a clutch, perfectly completing her debutante look.
Her mother, Gwyneth, shone in her own Valentino creation. The “Sliding Doors” actress wore a sheer black gown from Valentino’s Spring 2025 collection, featuring polka dots and delicate ruffle details along the neckline, sleeves, and skirt. She paired the look with gold jewelry and exuded understated elegance as she supported her daughter on this special evening.
Gwyneth Paltrow, Moses Martin, Blythe Danner, and Chris Martin are seen in a photo dated December 1, 2024 | Source: Instagram/gwynethpaltrow
The “Goop” founder’s mother, Blythe Danner, also looked radiant at the event. The 81-year-old actress wore a long gray skirt paired with a textured white blazer and a pearl necklace, exuding timeless sophistication and grace.
Apple’s father, Chris, and her brother, Moses, were also dressed by Michele. Both donned Valentino tuxedos, with Chris opting for a bow tie and a pin that read “love.” Moses, 18, wore a blazer with exaggerated lapels, adding a modern twist to the traditional black-tie look.
Gwyneth captured the family’s weekend in Paris through an Instagram carousel shared on December 1. “A special long weekend in Paris 💙,” she captioned her post, which began with a serene video of the city’s skyline from her airplane window, followed by a mirror selfie with Apple in her elaborate Valentino gown.
Gwyneth Paltrow and Apple Martin, as seen in a photo dated December 1, 2024 | Source: Instagram/gwynethpaltrow
Other slides included candid family moments, such as a picture of Chris, 47, and Moses on a bench, and a formal group photo featuring Gwyneth, 52, her mother Blythe and Moses in a sophisticated white room adorned with artwork.
Chris and Moses Martin are captured sitting on a bench in a photo shared on December 1, 2024 | Source: Instagram/gwynethpaltrow
Blythe Danner, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Moses Martin are seen in a photo shared on December 1, 2024 | Source: Instagram/gwynethpaltrow
The carousel concluded with two memorable moments: an image of Blythe seated at the dinner table alongside model Boris Kodjoe and designer David Netto, and a heartfelt photo of Gwyneth and Apple embracing each other at the debutante event.
Blythe Danner with model Boris Kodjoe and designer David Netto, as seen in a photo dated December 1, 2024 | Source: Instagram/gwynethpaltrow
Apple joins a prestigious list of past debutantes who have graced Le Bal, including Lily Collins, Ava Philippe, and Scout Willis. Vogue noted Apple’s distinction as the first debutante to wear a custom Alessandro Michele design, adding another layer of uniqueness to her already momentous evening.
Lily Collins is pictured in New York on May 7, 2012 | Source: Getty Images
The event not only marked Apple’s entrance into high society but also highlighted the enduring bond of her family. With her parents setting aside past differences to come together for her debut, the evening was as much about familial connection as it was about tradition and fashion.
Apple Martin’s debut at Le Bal des Débutantes was a night of elegance, artistry, and love — a moment that will undoubtedly remain a cherished memory for her family and those who followed her journey.