Diner en Blanc: Giving the Ooh La La

by Fayeruz Regan 06.2023

If you see someone dressed as Napoleon walking by, chest out and chin in the air, you follow him. If only with your eyes. It was my first Diner En Blanc, and though I didn’t know what to expect, I knew Napoleon was onto something. 

At the gates of this event were aerial dancers, spinning in hoops and smiling down at us. Because they were silent, they seemed like angels. They wore all white and feather headdresses straight out of the Belle Epoque. Just past this display were the revelers. Twelve hundred of them, to be exact. They streamed onto Arthur Ashe Boulevard in front of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA), which was closed to the public for this event. Dripping with diamonds, adorned with feathers, everyone was ready to have a good time. 

The story of Diner en Blanc began in Paris, in 1988. François Pasquier invited a group of friends to an elegant outdoor picnic at the Bois de Boulogne, asking them to dress in white so they could all find one another. It was so special, that it became an annual tradition. Since then, Diner en Blanc has grown to encompass over 90 cities around the world. 

When you think about it, 90 cities is not many when you consider every continent. It was fascinating that Richmond got in on the action. It’s right up there with Athens, Singapore, and Cape Town. The Parisian phenomenon didn’t even hit the United States until 2011, when Pasquier’s son, Aymeric, brought it to New York City. Richmond adopted Diner en Blanc in 2017. 

One thing that makes the event exciting is its secret location that’s not revealed until the day of. Attendees pack an upscale picnic and load into buses that transport them to a public space – a coveted location that allows them to celebrate their city. In Richmond the party has been held at Tredegar Ironworks and Monroe Park, among other places. And these party guests weren’t just unpacking food. Slowly, the thoroughfare became awash with twinkling lights, Eiffel tower statues, and crystal chandeliers. 

Passersby could not believe the spectacle, asking anyone around them, “What is this? Who are they?” Though everyone is welcome to attend Diner en Blanc (and should!), in Richmond there’s an impressive turnout from the Black community. I asked the host/organizer Ayana Obika how this came about. “There is definitely affinity within the Black community for all-white attire parties” Ayana told me. “Dressing in all white has always been seen as evidence of status or signifying a special occasion. Members of historically Black sororities are familiar with dressing in what is called ‘uninterrupted white.’ Sean Combs, AKA Diddy, popularized white attire parties in the 2000s with his parties in the Hamptons so it gave wearing all white a certain cachet and made it feel like you were doing something elevated – cool.” 

There are built-in traditions I’ve come to love. The napkin wave signifies that dinner is about to begin, so everyone stands and spins their white cloth napkin in the air. There’s a champagne toast. After dinner, everyone lights a sparkler, which indicates it’s time to dance and mingle. All traditions are highly photogenic, and I have a hard time being in the moment for my want to capture it. Then the band starts. Dancers in LED butterfly wings flutter around the crowd. Napoleon joins the stage. In partnership with VMFA’s then-exhibit on Louis XIV’s belongings, they trotted him out to make a toast.

The year that Diner en Blanc hosted the event on Arthur Ashe Boulevard left a special impression on Ayana as well. “We hosted in front of the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, and we were surprised to see the people living in the apartments across from the museum had put on white outfits and were sitting on their balconies with glasses of wine,” she said.

Diner en Blanc is an enchanting way to celebrate your city, good company, and good food. Only, you’re doing it glamorously, like a French aristocrat would. “For me, the best part is seeing all of the moving pieces come together and seeing people who don't know each other sharing a meal and celebrating our city. This event brings out the best in people... so much joy,” Ayana said.

For more information or to sign up for this exclusive event, visit the Diner en Blanc page for Richmond at richmond.dinerenblanc.com