-- A debutante party was held for Elinor White. Ellie White Deb Party, December 22, 2021 -- Michael, Elinor and Virginia White

-- A debutante party was held for Elinor White. Ellie White Deb Party, December 22, 2021 -- Seated: Hunter White. Standing: Paxton, Lynne and Evans White

-- A debutante party was held for Elinor White. Ellie White Deb Party, December 22, 2021 -- Shelby White, Michael White, Jr.

-- A debutante party was held for Elinor White. Ellie White Deb Party, December 22, 2021 -- Eleanor Burke Lieder, Gibbons Burke, Jr.

-- A "Girls of a Feather" debutante party was held at the Civic Theatre. Girls of a Feather Debutante Party, December 23, 2021 -- Julia Nelson, Lady Reynolds, Christy Charbonnet, Adele Reynoir, Olivia Brown, Barret Williams

-- A "Girls of a Feather" debutante party was held at the Civic Theatre. Girls of a Feather Debutante Party, December 23, 2021 -- Will Reynoir, Pam Reynoir, Lynn and Scott Brown

-- A "Girls of a Feather" debutante party was held at the Civic Theatre. Girls of a Feather Debutante Party, December 23, 2021 -- Boo and Sid Charbonnet, Ashley Nelson

-- A "Girls of a Feather" debutante party was held at the Civic Theatre. Girls of a Feather Debutante Party, December 23, 2021 -- Murray Nelson, Charlotte Williams, Todd Reynolds

-- A "Girls of a Feather" debutante party was held at the Civic Theatre. Girls of a Feather Debutante Party, December 23, 2021 -- John and Rayne Carradine

-- A debutante party was held for Elinor White. Ellie White Deb Party, December 22, 2021 -- Michael, Elinor and Virginia White

-- A debutante party was held for Elinor White. Ellie White Deb Party, December 22, 2021 -- Seated: Hunter White. Standing: Paxton, Lynne and Evans White

-- A debutante party was held for Elinor White. Ellie White Deb Party, December 22, 2021 -- Shelby White, Michael White, Jr.

-- A debutante party was held for Elinor White. Ellie White Deb Party, December 22, 2021 -- Eleanor Burke Lieder, Gibbons Burke, Jr.

-- A "Girls of a Feather" debutante party was held at the Civic Theatre. Girls of a Feather Debutante Party, December 23, 2021 -- Julia Nelson, Lady Reynolds, Christy Charbonnet, Adele Reynoir, Olivia Brown, Barret Williams

-- A "Girls of a Feather" debutante party was held at the Civic Theatre. Girls of a Feather Debutante Party, December 23, 2021 -- Will Reynoir, Pam Reynoir, Lynn and Scott Brown

-- A "Girls of a Feather" debutante party was held at the Civic Theatre. Girls of a Feather Debutante Party, December 23, 2021 -- Boo and Sid Charbonnet, Ashley Nelson

-- A "Girls of a Feather" debutante party was held at the Civic Theatre. Girls of a Feather Debutante Party, December 23, 2021 -- Murray Nelson, Charlotte Williams, Todd Reynolds

-- A "Girls of a Feather" debutante party was held at the Civic Theatre. Girls of a Feather Debutante Party, December 23, 2021 -- John and Rayne Carradine

Global spins underscored the partying when Mr. and Mrs. Michael Bright White honored their debutante daughter Elinor “Ellie” Pitot White at their Old Metairie home and adjacent, tented premises. Memorable family trips around the world inspired the “Club Elle” theme. Renowned artist George Dunbar stressed the value of such traveling to deb mother Virginia White, who took heed. Late family members, “Jane White, Tita and Popsie,” were also included in photos of their trips.

Even before arriving at the party site — and stupendous sights — guests anticipated something special, thanks to the invitation and its floral-lined envelope. The attire: “Black tie or white dinner jacket” for the men. “Ladies: sparkle and shine.” And they did.

Immediate visual excitement came at the pink-carpeted entrance, replete with paparazzi, where friends and family received libations. To receive, Virginia wore a Monique Lhuillier mode; Ellie, Galvan; and Michael (and Michael Jr.), special “Club Elle” jackets. Features of the al fresco cocktail hour included an electric-violin ensemble, all gowned in thematic pink, thrumming in the white pillar “trees”; pink planter boxes overhead; pink flowers in various shades covering the façade of the house; and a seafood ice bar topped with oysters, mussels, lobster tails, stone crab claws, and prawns. “Come Fly with Me” played on the sound system.

Synchronized swimmers ushered the party pack to the pool, where they performed twice; Iberico ham and manchego cheese (St. James Cheese Company) beckoned in the house; and off the living room, a tent was decorated with pink velvet and floral fabric, a floral wall behind the mirrored bar and a Murano glass chandelier. Caviar was the edible attraction and Annabel’s in London, the inspiration. The merry movement was then on to the main tent and its art deco arches that created seating alcoves backed by family-travel photos. The LED-paneled ceiling suggested Maxim’s in Paris and an area next to the stage had seating for the family. Getting the groove going was Rhythm Collective, followed by Az-Izz as the nocturnal hours clicked away. Dancing reigned.

Recalling the family’s travels to the Mediterranean, the pool house area was enhanced accordingly with rattan chandeliers, monochrome tropical wallpaper with palm patterns (Fine Finishes by E. Lee) and custom backgammon tables. Food stations lured with grilled octopus, squid ink pasta, calamari salad and lamb. “Club Elle” tumblers held specialty drinks.

The Ice Room elicited a collective frisson of delight and the memory of a club in Prague. Recreated by the White family for the Crescent City, the room was filled with folks wearing “Club Elle” parkas, reveling in the delights of the martini ice bar, and lounging on sofas. They, like the coffee tables, lamps and art, were made of ice. Yes, all ice! The entire space just glistened.

Revelers included grandparents Hunter and Lynne White, Kathleen “Frog” and Terry White, Hunter White IV, the William Lieders, Peter Gibbons Burke, Mary Shea Burke, Adele Layrisson, Pearce Layrisson, Julia Cappel, the Paxton and the Evans Whites, Mrs. Len Moscati, the Emanuel Benjamins, Caroline and Bo Reily, Willie and Megan Nelson, John and Dathel Georges, Storey and Anne Lynne Charbonnet, Pam Reynoir, the Matthew LeCorgnes, the John Whites, Anne White, the Terry Kavanaghs, Elinor Bright, the Timothy Brights, Barry and Tina Kern and scores more.

To sate the late-night appetite, there were pizzas, sliders, F&M’s cheese fries and croque monsieurs, while the eye had it for entertainers wearing pink cotton candy wigs. Superlatives were the order of the evening with compliments galore directed to Joel’s Catering, Caviar Girls, Lance Hayes Florals, Dunn & Sonnier, and Urban Earth. Top credit for the menu, design and presentation went to AN.GLE Events and Margo Bouanchaud. The final thanks, bien sûr, rested with the White family and honoree Ellie, who “packed up” their passel of pals and gave them a world-class and globally focused fête.

The theme just fluttered into place: “Girls of a Feather.” And so it was for a half dozen debutantes, who have flocked together for a long time and honored their friendship with a unique theme. Under the title on the ivory-colored invitation was a feather and, in aqua, the listing of the parents, who requested the pleasure of one’s company to “Celebrate Our Daughters.” The hosting consortium at The Civic Theatre consisted of Mrs. Vance Reynoir for Adele, Dr. and Mrs. Claude Williams for Barret, Mr. and Mrs. Scott J. Brown for Olivia, Mr. Murray Nelson and Mrs. Ashley K. Nelson for Julia, Mr. and Mrs. Sid Charbonnet for Christy, and Mr. Todd D. Reynolds and Dr. and Mrs. John Carradine for Lady. Adele and Lady are cousins and thus included overlapping guests, such as Michele Reynoir and Kevin Clifford, along with Caitlin, Myles and Porter Carrere. Joining Adele were brothers Jacques and Will Reynoir — the three Reynoirs are triplets, as well as James and Erica Reiss and Sally Suthon. Within Lady’s legion were brother Jack Reynolds, stepsisters Lucy and Stella Carradine, grandmother Barbara Reynolds, and four Kohnkes: Rick, Richard, Sam and Helen.

Taking a chromatic cue from the invitation, the décor featured touches of gold, white and aqua with feathers, orchids, hydrangeas and palms. Lighting bathed the premises. In shocking pink lettering, “This Must Be the Place,” glowed behind a white-wood bar. Flanking it were two standards topped with blue and white ostrich feathers and cascading crystal streams. Café tables were covered with rich teal cloths and overhead disco balls projected bursts of luminescence.

“We are planning a number of surprises for them,” confided one of the mothers. Certainly, the honored sixsome was thrilled with the feathered bird dancers, who welcomed everyone, and the white-clad aerial artists, who poured Champagne.

Among the Brown brigade were deb brother S. Alex Brown, grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Krieg Brown from San Francisco, the David S. Alonsos (also San Francisco), Margie and Raul Bencomo, the Craig R. Dermodys, Dr. and Mrs. Philip J. Kahn, Holly and Guy Perrier, Lisa and Douglas Mills, and Edie and David Darragh. Christy Charbonnet’s deb sisters Sidney and Mary Lucy joined the fun, as did Christopher Lane, Virginia and John Rowan, Gwathmey and Fritz Gomila, Kelly and Tom Duffy, and Lauren and Nathan Schrantz.

They and dozens more enjoyed the purveyance by 12 Seasons Catering & Events and the thematically named, “Bluebird Martini” signature drink.

Murray Pearce Nelson Jr., Julie’s brother, was noted as were deb grandmothers Julie Breitmeyer and Harriet Nelson, Susu and Andrew Stall, Aimee and West Freeman with Ella, and the Edward Parrs with Celia and Tyler. From the Williams family came Barret’s sisters Charlotte and Kate, as well as Christine Connolly, Ellie and Mark Edwards, and Erin and Teddy Conway.

New Orleans talent provided the scintillating sounds, starting with T-Ray the Violinist. Later, the big black curtain on the stage was cleared and the featured band, The Phunky Monkeys, dipped into their extensive song list and rallied dancers to the floor, giving Adele, Barret, Olivia, Julia, Christy and Lady a musical flight of Feathers.

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

News Tips: newstips@theadvocate.com

Other questions: subscriberservices@theadvocate.com