Lara Henckel von Donnersmarck lives a life like in a fairy tale. The daughter of Oscar winner Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck is a model, makes her debut at a ball in Paris and wants to get started in the film business like her father. How? She revealed this and much more to GALA.
Stucco as far as the eye can see, and in the middle of it all a fairy-like figure: Lara Cosima Henckel von Donnersmarck, 20, lives in the center of Paris in an apartment that could have come from the hit series “Bridgerton.” The daughter of Oscar-winning director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, 50, (“The Lives of Others”) grew up between Los Angeles and her father’s film sets. She attends exclusive parties, did an internship at Dior and is under contract with a modeling agency. With her luxury lifestyle, Lara now has over 300,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok.
Lara Cosima Henckel von Donnersmarck was allowed to open the debutante ball in Paris
GALA met the student at the renowned “Parsons School of Design” in Paris. Last Saturday, November 25, 2023, Lara was able to take part in the legendary 27th Bal des débutantes – the only debutante ball in the world that only takes place by invitation. For Alexander von Trentini, the event’s chief hairstylist, Lara’s modern interpretation of her ball hairstyle is the “highlight of the evening”. Lara is also blown away by her look, she tells GALA. In the interview, she also raves about her childhood with acting greats like Johnny Depp, 60, and Tom Schilling, 41, and reveals that she wants to follow in her father’s career footsteps.
GALA: How and when did you find out about the invitation?
Lara Cosima Henckel von Donnersmarck: Ophélie Renouard [Veranstalterin des Balls, Anmerkung der Redaktion] knows my parents. I received my first personal invitation when I was 14. Unfortunately I’ve been too busy the last few years, but this time it finally worked. I’m even allowed to open the ball – a great privilege. My father and I are going to dance a waltz.
Did you know any of the debutantes or your cavalier Karl-Konstantin von Habsburg?
My cavalier is the brother of my very good friend Zsofia, who took part in le Bal last year as a debutante. This year her sister Ildiko Maria von Habsburg-Lothringen is making her debut with me. I also knew Barbara Berlingieri and Skye Wong before. Le Bal feels a bit like coming home.
Lara spends the night in an exclusive private club: this is where the stars meet each other
Did you celebrate privately after rehearsals for le Bal?
Yes, there was an afterparty the evening before the big ball. Afterwards we went to a friend’s birthday party together and ended the night at the Castel [ein legendärer, exklusiver Privatclub, in dem schon Serge Gainsbourg und Jack Nicholson ein- und ausgingen, Anmerkung der Redaktion]. Visiting the club has become my weekend tradition.
What makes the ball so special for you?
When I heard that a Jean Paul Gaultier couture dress was available, I was blown away. He is my absolute favorite designer and one of the greatest artists of our time.
Jean Paul Gaultier Couture dresses Lara: “Dream come true”
And then you were even equipped by him!
I am so honored to be able to wear an Archive dress from his Spring/Summer 2007 Couture collection. This is a dream come true for me. I’ve had this dress on my mood board for ten years and even did it while studying at the Parsons School of Design in New York [dort studiert Lara seit dem Herbstsemester 2022 Modedesign, Anmerkung der Redaktion] wrote an essay about this dress and analyzed its collection.
Lara Cosima Henckel von Donnersmarck in July 2023 trying on a dress in the designer’s studio Jean Paul Gaultier, who dressed her for le Bal.
© instagram.com/laracosima_
From one major designer to the next: You were able to do a one-month internship at Dior this year and last year. How did you manage to get this?
I simply applied and was lucky enough that chief designer Antonio Trotto gave me a chance.
Tough internship at Dior: “Until my fingers were bloody”
What was your working day like there?
I worked ten hours a day, gave it my all, embroidered and sewed until my fingers were bloody or created mood boards for clients. It was hard work, but I learned a lot.
What were your highlights?
Definitely being able to attend Paris Fashion Week with Dior.
Not only was I supposed to be there as an intern for Dior, but I was also supposed to be sitting in the front row. But that would have made me feel uncomfortable in front of my fellow interns.
Out of respect and because I don’t see myself in the front row, but rather behind the scenes, I declined.
You currently live in Paris and attend the ESMOD fashion design school. Your goal is to launch your own clothing line soon.
My more than 300,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram help me with this. You have the same interest in fashion as I do. Your reaction to my daily looks helps me decide on my designs. Because they are similar to my style.
Lara Cosima Henckel von Donnersmarck at the photo shoot for le Bal. GALA was there up close behind the scenes at the debutante ball in Paris.
© GALA
How would you describe your designs?
I would call them teenage Dior.
Big career plans! Lara is working on a film script with her father Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Your father Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck is an Oscar-winning director. Can you also imagine having a career in the film business?
In any case!
My dream is to one day follow in my father’s footsteps.
At first I thought that I wanted to explore my creativity in fashion. But now I also see myself in the film business. I want to write, direct and hopefully act – but only in my own films.
Could you imagine working with your father?
I already have that. We recently wrote a film script together. We often talk about his film projects and scenes. He noticed that we could work well together. I hope he will adapt our script into a film next.
Lara Cosima’s great role model is a father and director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
© Eventpress / imago images
Lara Cosima on childhood with stars like Johnny Depp: “We lived with them in Venice”
You grew up on film sets around the world. What have you seen?
My father’s film sets were for my brothers [Leo (18) und Alexis (16), Anmerkung der Redaktion] and me a big playground. We were often in the middle of nowhere. My father’s trailer was next to the actors’ trailer. We ran back and forth between the two. It was exciting to get to know the stars. But then they often became our best friends.
Did you also get to meet Hollywood stars like Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie, with whom your father made the film “The Tourist”?
We lived with them in Venice and got to know them very well during that time.
Who did you think was particularly great among the actors?
Tom Schilling! (laughs) He was so funny and his wife Annie Mosbach was super sweet too. We often ate lunch together. He was very tolerant of humoring us annoying children. (laughs)