Diner en Blanc, a French event dubbed "the world's most elegant secret dinner party," finally took place in Japan on October 3rd. Diner en Blanc, a dinner party that originated in Paris about 25 years ago, has several rules for attendees. The first is a white dress code, requiring all attire to be a consistent color, even down to shoes and accessories. Of course, there were no other restrictions beyond color, and attendees were free to coordinate their attire freely, allowing everyone to fully express their individuality. Some people revealed their beautiful décolletages in wedding dresses, while others dazzled with a noble aura in well-tailored kimonos. The second rule was that attendees had to bring everything they needed for the dinner party. Of course, this included not only food and drinks, but also tableware and chairs. The reason for these rules stems from the story behind the creation of Diner en Blanc. "Dinée en Blanc" was born in 1998. A man named François Pasquier returned to Paris after several years abroad and planned a party to reunite with friends. However, the number of people interested in attending was so high that he suggested holding the event in the Bois de Boulogne and wearing white clothing to make it easy to identify each other. Needless to say, if you're going to enjoy a party in the woods, you have to bring your own food and cutlery. Thus, this unique party concept was born.
Furthermore, one of Pasquier's sons spread this style overseas. And so, what started as a party "just a circle of friends and word of mouth" has now grown into a party that spans five continents.
Another important part of "Dinée en Blanc" is that the venue is not revealed until a few hours before the event begins. Not knowing the location until the last minute allows everyone's imagination to run wild and excitement to build. The ability to enjoy such imaginative moments is one of the great features of this party. Of course, the venue was announced just hours before the event. Participants first gathered at the first meeting point, then moved together to the second meeting point, and finally proceeded to the venue together. Four locations were designated for the first meeting point, including the Shimbashi Station Steam Locomotive Square and the Shinjuku Alta Plaza. From there, participants traveled to Gaienmae Station or Aoyama-Itchome Station for the second meeting point. Finally, everyone arrived at the venue, the Meiji Memorial Art Gallery. Participants gathered at the venue, arranging their own chairs and cutlery to create stunning table settings. Some even brought bouquets, vases, and ornaments to coordinate the tables! Surprised by the high quality of the other participants' tables, many asked to take photos. After dinner, an entertainment show featuring DJ Naoki Serizawa and the dance company "DAZZLE" began. The participants seemed to enjoy this dreamlike experience, a first for Japan, until the very end.
