02 Sep Event Recap: Diner En Blanc LA

The website said: “All guests must wear white and be dressed elegantly. Originality is encouraged as long as it stays stylish and denotes taste.” As Thursday approached, all I knew was to have my all white outfit ready. All white is tough for someone like me who tends to wear more black then white. But, given that is was a very hot summer night during another LA heatwave, I was happy to oblige. The phone rang at 6pm and I was told to head downtown to Pershing Square. The location has been secret until this moment. As I was invited as media, I was told the location one hour prior but most people, who signed up through groups, met at a central spot and took buses to the secret location. At 7pm, the large empty space of Pershing square in the center of Downtown LA began to fill up. Guests, required to bring everything themselves (a table, two (white) chairs, a picnic basket comprised of quality menu items and china dinner service), very efficiently entered the space and set up their dining area. It seemed like before long,  the square was filled with a sea of white. This is only the second time Diner en Blanc has taken place in Los Angeles. The last time was in 2013 when they took over Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. But, Diner en Blanc, which originated in France, has been taking place throughout Europe and North American for 27 years. There are more than 60 dinners planned for 2015 and while the original one in Paris gets 15,000 attendees, Los Angeles had more than 2400 attendees this year.   It was fun to look at the people and the various white outfits that they created. Some were elegant, others playful. There were hats, masks and wigs as well. In addition to the clothing, the dinner tables also varied. Some were simple and others were elaborate with centerpieces and other decor. Those who decorated their tables more elaborately were hoping to win a trip for two to Europe in the contest for the most stylish tabletop design. Diner en Blanc is a magical evening filled with positive energy. It is one very large dinner party. And, when dinner is finished, it turns into a dance party with live music. To find out when the next Diner En Blanc is in your city, or if you want to organize one, visit their website.