Every November, Rome borrows a little of Vienna’s winter glamour. On Saturday 7 November 2026 the Acquario Romano, the elegant nineteenth-century hall near Piazza Vittorio, hosted the 18th Gran Ballo Viennese di Roma, Italy’s only Viennese ball officially recognised by the Austrian Embassy and twinned with the famous Vienna Opera Ball. Thirty debutantes aged 15 to 24, from nine Italian regions, took to the floor in white gowns, partnered by officer cadets from the Italian Air Force Academy in Pozzuoli.
A week of preparation
The evening is only the finale. From 1 November the young women spent a week of lessons: etiquette with Laura Pranzetti Lombardini, posture with Lucilla Nori, Miss Universe 2025, and hairstyling with Gennaro Diana. There was also a session with a psychologist on recognising unhealthy relationships. Founder Elvia Venosa has said she wants the ball to be an experience the girls carry with them long after the gown comes off. The debutante crowned at the end of the night wins a place representing Italy at the Opernball in Vienna, as host Marianna Taormina did in 2019. The Orchestra Vincenzo Bellini of Rome, conducted by Lorenzo Lupi, played Strauss waltzes once the traditional call of “Alles Walzer!” opened the dance floor to every guest, with delegations from Romania, the Netherlands and France among them.
Beauty advice from Pablo
Make-up was taught by Pablo, art director of the Gil Cagné brand, who has worked with the ball since 2008. In a conversation with Vanity Fair Italia he explained that he taught the debutantes to do their own make-up rather than simply painting them. His starting point is knowing your own skin type, since a routine designed for one skin will not suit everyone. He told the girls not to reach for anti-ageing products at their age, and to take their make-up off properly every night without rubbing mascara away harshly, which weakens the lashes.
For a white gown and a classic chignon, he recommends soft, blended eyes in nude, pink and brown tones with no eyeliner, light contouring that respects the shape of the face, and well-cared-for brows that are not over-plucked. The look has to last until late, much like bridal make-up. His wider philosophy is simple: there are no trends, only the individuality of each woman.
That understated approach works for accessories too. A pair of delicate earrings, a fine necklace or a slim bracelet lets a white gown speak for itself, while a structured handbag carries the essentials for touch-ups through the night. Explore our full jewellery collection for festive-season ideas.
Sources: Vanity Fair Italia; RomaToday; Corriere della Sera Roma; DiLei.
