Thylane Blondeau Debuts Stunning Engagement Ring at Paris Fashion Week
Paris Fashion Week served as the glamorous setting for French model Thylane Blondeau to showcase her dazzling diamond engagement ring on Monday. This public appearance came shortly after she accepted a marriage proposal from her long-term boyfriend, DJ Ben Attal. The 24-year-old model, who was famously dubbed the "most beautiful girl in the world" by Vogue Enfants during her childhood career, attended the Zimmermann fall-winter collection unveiling at the Palais de Tokyo.
A Surprise Proposal in Greece
The engagement was confirmed by Blondeau through a series of social media posts the previous day. Attal proposed during their spring break at the luxurious five-star Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel in Greece, presenting her with a ring valued at approximately £34,000. For the fashion week event, Blondeau commanded attention in a cropped leather jacket paired with a sweeping white lace skirt, taking a coveted front-row seat alongside notable actresses including Alice Isaaz, Lily James, Jessica Chastain, and Naomi Watts.
Expert Analysis of the Diamond Ring
Celebrity jeweller and gemologist Benjamin Khordipour, from New York City's Estate Diamond Jewelry, provided a detailed assessment of the engagement ring. He described it as "approximately two carats, cut in an oval shape with an excellent cut quality." Based on photographic evidence, Khordipour estimated the diamond to be around E color and VVS1 clarity. The design is notably modern and minimalist, featuring a simple 18K yellow gold four-prong setting.
Khordipour elaborated to the Daily Mail: "The elegance of the ring comes from its simplicity, which draws the viewer’s attention entirely to the center diamond. I estimate the value of the ring to be around $45,000 (£34,000). Over the past few years, I’ve noticed many celebrities gravitating toward oval-shaped solitaire engagement rings. Interestingly, this minimalist style echoes the late 1800s, when solitaire engagement rings were especially fashionable and prized for showcasing the beauty of a single diamond."
A Private Relationship Goes Public
The engagement announcement surprised Blondeau's extensive social media following, which exceeds six million followers. This milestone comes nearly six years after the enigmatic model began her relationship with Attal, who maintains a refreshingly private Instagram account. While the couple has largely kept their romance out of the public eye—with Attal rarely appearing on Blondeau's social media platforms—they have been spotted enjoying romantic getaways together, including holidays in Saint Tropez.
Prior to her relationship with Attal, Blondeau was briefly involved with YouTuber Raphaël Le Friant and French DJ Milane Meritte. She and Meritte went Instagram official in January 2019 and were frequently seen on dates in Los Angeles before their separation.
From Child Prodigy to Fashion Icon
Blondeau's journey in the fashion industry began at the tender age of three when an agent for legendary designer Jean Paul Gaultier discovered her on the Champs-Elysees and sent her down the catwalk. As the daughter of retired footballer Patrick Blondeau, she walked for Jean Paul Gaultier at four years old and later, at age ten, became the youngest model ever to pose for Vogue Paris. She earned the title of "most beautiful girl in the world" from Vogue Enfants on two separate occasions, though the editorial faced criticism for being overly sexualised due to her attire and makeup.
Her mother, fashion designer Veronika Loubry, defended the cover at the time, telling a French newspaper: "The only thing that shocks me about the photo is the necklace that she's wearing, which is worth three million Euros, or about $4.3 million." Blondeau made her adult runway debut in February 2017, walking for Dolce & Gabbana at Milan Fashion Week, a success that led to a repeat invitation in September 2017. She has also served as a brand ambassador for L'Oréal and was named the face of a perfume by French designer Lolita Lempicka.
