Belles of the ball! Daughters of the world's most elite families dress to impress as they gather in New York for 62nd annual Debutante Ball

The Pierre Hotel in New York was awash with white last night as debutantes dazzled in a myriad of ball gowns at the 62nd International Debutante Ball.

The event, that welcomes the city's well heeled into society, saw the gaggle of girls take to the stage in a series of wedding-dress like ballgowns.

The young ladies are the daughters of the world's elite families, and at stake are their first impressions on a world accustomed to only the greatest of poise: these are the living dolls of the International Debutante Ball. 

Belles of the ball: Daughters of society's elite (including, Amanda Chase Miller, front left, Brindley Elizabeth Mize, front right and Elizabeth Anne Carl, front second right) gathered for the 62nd annual Debutante Ball in New York in a myriad of white gowns at the Pierre Hotel in New York City 

Grand family connections: Debutante Camila Mendoza Echavarria - the great-great-granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower - with grandmother Anne Eisenhower and Irene Kauffman pose at the prestigious society event

The annual ball is also the debutante event with the strongest links to the White House.

In its 61-years, eight family members of President Eisenhower, two daughters and a granddaughter of President Nixon, two granddaughters of President Johnson and one of President Bush's granddaughters have all been belles at the ball.

The participating young women are the crème de la crème, the next generation of the international elite who present themselves to the sons and families of ambassadors, world leaders, and giants of industry.

They are college-aged young women from some of America's and some of the world's most prestigious universities putting their most congenial faces forward in the Pierre Hotel as they meet and greet with future husbands, friends, colleagues and business and charity contacts. 

This year the ball was hosted at the grand ballroom at the Pierre Hotel. The evening begins with a receiving line of the women greet their guests and pose for press photos.

Crème de la crème: Debutantes Natalie Counce and Caroline Jean (left) and Wendy Yu (right) attend the 62th International Debutante Ball at The Pierre Hotel. They are college-aged young women from some of America's and some of the world's most prestigious universities putting their most congenial faces forward

Networking: Wess Mediros (left), Debutante Elizabeth Anne Carl (center) and Grant Chucksol all smile for the cameras at the annual event. There, they meet and greet with future husbands, friends, colleagues and business and charity contacts

International and very glamorous attendees: It is customary for the young women to ask a gentleman to join them for the prestigious society event 

Posing: Helen Anne Gable (left) Soppy Tang (right) attend the 62th International Debutante Ball. The United States is by far the most represented country every year but about a quarter of the debutantes come from across the globe

The young ladies then traditionally enjoy a cocktail before meeting for a dinner in the ballroom. This is followed by dancing ahead of the main event where each debutante is presented to the public accompanied by their male guest.  

The tradition of debuting young and privileged women decked out in billowing white gowns and elbow-length satin gloves stretches back far beyond the first New York City ball in 1954, but the Big Apple's ball is the quintessential state-side cotillion. 

The United States is by far the most represented country every year but about a quarter of the debutantes come from across the globe. Most commonly the international debutantes come from France, England, Italy and Germany. 

THE HISTORY OF THE DEBUTANTE BALL

The Ball provides a friendly social context where young men and women from all over the world meet one another, have a wonderful time and form lasting friendships. 

The Ball was founded in 1954 by Beatrice Dinsmore Joyce and since 1983, her niece Margaret Hedberg has continued as General Chairman. 

For six decades, the International Debutante Ball Foundation (a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit) has benefitted numerous charities, primarily the Soldiers’, Sailors’, Marines’, Coast Guard and Airmen’s Club of New York City, which for over ninety-five years has provided a home away from home for young men and women of our Armed Forces and those of our Allies.

Daughters and granddaughters of United States Presidents and United States representatives have included the three granddaughters and four great-granddaughters of President Eisenhower, both daughters and one granddaughter of President Nixon, two granddaughters of President Johnson and one granddaughter of President Bush, as well as daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Steve Forbes, Jr. and Mr. and Mrs. Christopher C. Forbes. Families of ambassadors, nobility, as well as businessmen and women have all attended the Ball. 

Source International Debutante Ball 

Wendy Yu's impressive organza ball saw her as the star of the show at the annual event, she paired her dress with a dazzling sapphire necklace 

It is tradition for all of the debutantes to wear white to the ball, however they can customise their gowns as they wish with one young lady even adding tartan to her dress

The young ladies are the daughters of the world's elite families, and at stake are their first impressions on a world accustomed to only the greatest of poise: these are the living dolls of the International Debutante Ball

As well as the young society women, former debutantes and family members also attend. Pictured: Irene Kauffman and family

All of the young ladies carry a posy of pink roses and wear elbow length white gloves to the ball

Henry Bismis and Susanne Beer attended the event in support of the young women making their debut