Paris of the Middle East

Lebanon was known as the "Paris of the Middle East" before the civil war took place, it was a haven for the Arab elite filled with both Casinos and an active nightlife.

Whilst Lebanon is facing regional political turmoil, Lebanon continues it's charity gala dinners and Debutante Balls. Their lifestyles include events such as hosting 1,000 guest weddings, while being entertained by A-list Arab pop stars, all while adorning Lebanese designer dresses.

The Annual Debutante Ball is designed to introduce young ladies, from all over Lebanon, aged between 15-21 to Lebanese High Society, with the aim to raise money to buy ambulances for the Lebanese Red Cross.

Every year, the Ball is broadcast on National television, and a foreign Prince as well as Lebanon's first lady are invited to attend. The Debutante committee carefully selects these ladies, who all come from “good backgrounds”. To take part it costs approximately $2,000, which the participants describe as "the best night of their life".

Many of women who are part of the Debutante Ball committee dedicate their time to helping charitable causes across Lebanon, to "help Lebanon become better”.

This story was supported by Der Spiegel Magazine. For captions, please click on the top right-hand corner.

10/08/2013 KASLIK, LEBANON

Young Lebanese ladies practice their Debutante dance, at the Portemelio Hotel in Kaslik, Lebanon. The ladies have weekly dance practice on Saturdays.

24/08/2013 KASLIK, LEBANON

Young Lebanese ladies practice their Debutante dance in their dancing shoes which they will be wearing on the night, at the Portemelio Hotel in Kaslik, Lebanon. The ladies have weekly dance practice on Saturdays.

29/10/2013 DBAYEH, LEBANON

Beatrice Bekhache, 18, a Debutante lady, who is taking the center stage on the night of the Ball tries on a dress by Lebanese designer Georges Chakra. Beatrice and her mother Odette discuss her high heels.

George Chakra, and George Hobeika, both leading Lebanese designers requested for only the tallest ladies to wear their dresses for the Ball.

Each young lady is lent a designer dress from a Lebanese designer for the night.

05/08/2013 BEIRUT, LEBANON

"Pearly", Salwa Choukheir's cat sits on an armchair at the Choukheir residence in Beirut, Lebanon.

23/11/2013 BEIRUT, LEBANON

Jessica Obeid and her female relatives fix their make up in her holding room before she enters her large wedding. Her mother, Leila Obeid, is a famous beauty consultant featured on National television.

09/07/2013 BEIRUT, LEBANON

A lady's diamond ring, at the Dar Al Aytam charity Gala dinner, raising funds for a Druze orphanage in the mountains of Lebanon, at the Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut, Lebanon.

09/07/2013 BEIRUT, LEBANON Ladies socialise, at the Dar Al Aytam charity Gala dinner, raising funds for a Druze orphanage in the mountains of Lebanon, at the Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut, Lebanon.

19/07/2013 HAMMANA, LEBANON

Salwa, who sponsors the Debutante Ball, and finances various charities, waves to a friend at a baby shower brunch in Hammana, Lebanon.

05-08-2013 BEIRUT, LEBANON

Salwa, who sponsors the Debutante Ball, and finances various charities, with her Chihuaua dog in her living room at her home in Beirut, Lebanon.

19/07/2013 HAMMANA, LEBANON

Ghina Arslan (L), her friend, with their new baby daughters in Ghina's husband's mountain home in Hammana, Lebanon. Following Lebanese tradition, Ghina welcomes her baby Karma with a baby shower after Karma is born, where family and friends attend a brunch.

19/07/2013 HAMMANA, LEBANON

Baby Shower gifts are given away at Karma Mezher's baby shower, consisting of glass perfume container, sweet almonds, and chocolate, at their family mountain home in Hammana.

A baby shower at a home in Beirut, created and set up by Cookie Dough, a luxury clothing store for children who also plan events for baby showers and children parties.

24/08/2013 JOUNIEH, LEBANON

Regina Fenianos, President of the Debutantes Ball, in her garden in Jounieh. Mrs Fenianos created the Ball 16 years ago, being brought up in Brazil where Debutante Balls are the norm at 15, Fenianos' dream was to create one for her future daughter. However she had three boys, and so, she created the Ball for Lebanese girls to make "their dream come true and become a princess for the night". To take part, it costs approximately $2,000.

02/12/2013 ADMA, LEBANON

Tamara Hobeika, 18, a Debutante Ball participant in her bedroom, a week and a half after she had a nose job operation. "I hated my nose, I was sad because of my nose, and was obsessed with it. It's not superficial to repair the nose, like all the stars here. I love it now because it looks natural, it's me."

Beirut, Lebanon.

Lebanese teenagers socialise in Ramadan, on a residential rooftop before the sun comes up and they need to fast.

02/11/2013 JOUNIEH, LEBANON

Dima Arabi, the oldest Debutante participant, 24, after her hair and make up has been applied, puts her dancing shoes on in the communal dressing room, before the Ball.

02/11/2013 JOUNIEH, LEBANON

Dima Arabi, reacts nervously about knowing the dance steps for the Ball, after her hair and make up has been applied, at Loutfi hairdresser on the day of the Ball.

02/11/2013 JOUNIEH, LEBANON

Debutante Ball participants after her hair and make up has been applied, at Loutfi hairdresser on the day of the Ball.

02/11/2013 JOUNIEH, LEBANON

Dima Arabi, the oldest Debutante participant, 24, checks her phone in the hallway backstage of the Debutante Ball.

02/11/2013 JOUNIEH, LEBANON

Debutante participants have a snack backstage in the dressing room before the Ball.

01/11/2013 JOUNIEH, LEBANON

President of the Debutante Ball, Regina Fenianos, gives the sound mechanic directions at a Debutante Dance rehearsal, at Casino du Liban, where the Ball will be held.

Sara, 22, who graduated five days before her wedding, waits in a holding room before she makes her entrance to her 650- guest wedding in BIEL Center, Beirut, Lebanon. Her dress weighs 15 kilos.

02/11/2013 JOUNIEH, LEBANON

Taline Mansour, (center) poses for a self portait on her mobile phone, while amongst Debutante Ball participants, before the Ball at Casino du Liban where the Ball is held.

23/11/2013 BEIRUT, LEBANON

A guest at Edgar and Jessica's large wedding at the BIEL center

02/11/2013 JOUNIEH, LEBANON

Dinner of beef steak is served for 600 people, tickets for the Ball ranged from $150 or $200. All the profits were given to the Red Cross to buy an ambulance.

23/11/2013 BEIRUT, LEBANON

Rosy, (center) part of the Debutante Ball committee, and head of Emergency Medical Services for the Red Cross, at Edgar and Jessica's large wedding at the BIEL center.

02/11/2013 JOUNIEH, LEBANON

Debutante ladies dance with their partner at the Debutante Ball infront of an audience of 600 people, tickets for the Ball ranged from $150 or $200. All the profits were given to the Red Cross to buy an ambulance

NATALIE NACCACHE

Paris of the Middle East