Gwyneth Paltrow’s daughter Apple sparks ‘nepo baby’ debate as she makes Le Bal debut in Valentino gown

PARIS, FRANCE: Apple Martin has stepped into the spolight by making her debut at a lavish ball and fashion event.

Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin’s 20-year-old daughter, Apple, turned heads as she attended the Le Bal des Debutantes on Saturday, November 30, in Paris, wearing a custom dress that took 750 hours to make. 

The youngster donned a pristine blue gown, which reportedly took Valentino creative director Alessandro Michele’s atelier 750 hours to make, per People.

Apple Martin attends Le Bal des Debutantes in style

Modeled upon the historic aristocratic balls, Le Bal des Debutantes is an annual event that presents about 20 young women between the ages of 16 and 22. Apple - whose father is the Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, 47, and mother is the actress and Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow, 52 - made her entry into the high society along with other beauties. 

The youngster, who is currently pursuing her education at Vanderbilt University, attended the gala event wearing “a custom debutante dress to match the evening’s no-holds-barred grandeur,” reports Vogue. 

The fashion magazine further reports that Apple’s strapless blue Valentino gown was “fashioned in six degrade tiers of silk plisse chiffon, cinched at the waist with a black silk bow". She paired her blue gown with matching Valentino sandals.

Apple was not the only one in her family to dress in Valentino outfits, as her family - including her father, mother, and brother Moses - appeared in outfits by the same designer. 

While the father and son duo looked dapper in Valentino tuxedos, the ‘Shakespeare in Love’ actress opted for an exquisite gown from the atelier’s spring 2025 collection. 

Paltrow even gushed about her daughter on Instagram when she posted a full-length picture of Apple posing in her Valentino gown, writing, “My beautiful daughter in @maisonvalentino.”

This is, however, not her first foray into fashion, as she made her first appearance in the fashion arena when she was 18. Wearing an ensemble from Chanel, Apple attended an event in the Paris Fashion Week in 2023. 

Apple Martin's Le Bal debut in Valentino dress sparks nepotism debate

While Apple Martin dressed elegantly at the Le Bal des Debutantes, her debut at the event reignited conversations about nepotism.

One social media user shared, "Sorry so she’s doing what exactly? Existing as a rich person? Groundbreaking."

Another user quizzed, "Stepping into the spot light…why? What does she do? Is she a scientist an actress , a singer, a write."

"Pretty girls, awful dress. Money cannot buy style," criticized another. 

Someone else criticized the concept of the Le Bal des Debutantes saying, "Debutante?, it’s 2024 fgs, and I’m sure a lass like Apple Martin does not need be to “presented to society”."

Another user pointed out, "Pretty dress but doesn't seem to fit well. Looks like it's about to slide off. 🤷‍♀️."

"There is something very awkward in the silouette 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," mused another user.

Someone else said, "We live in sad world… managed by privileged generations of rich families 😢."

"She is undeniably beautiful, but enough with the nepo babies!" chimed in a netizen, before adding, "The public is growing weary of seeing the children of the rich and famous (through no fault of their own) being elevated over individuals with genuine talent who have worked hard to earn their place at the table."

"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…," shared someone else.

"Another Nepobaby," remarked an individual. 

A user said, "A debutant ball in 2024??? Seriously? Makes me hate Gwyneth even more."

Another user added, not without sarcasm, "Oooh how exciting! Just another privileged daughter of someone 👏👏👏."

"Another Nepo kid…. Great, just what we needed," chimed in someone else. 

A user observed, "She looks so much like her dad! Nepobaby lifestyle 🔥."

Nevertheless, one user sided with Apple, and clapped back at the trolls, saying, "She’s a college student, for crying out loud. Debutante balls are anachronistic and silly, but no one should be vilified for participating in them."

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