Philadelphia Dîner en Blanc 2015

The idea began in Paris over 27 years ago, when François Pasquier organized a picnic in the Bois de Boulogne; to ensure that all the friends he’d invited could recognize one another, he told them to wear white. The next year they invited more friends, and the next year even more. It has now grown to an international phenomenon that draws thousands of people to each event. This year 13,000 gathered in Paris, 5,000 at Pier 26 on the Hudson River in New York City, and 4,500 in Philadelphia. The dinners take place in or near the center of town, accessible on foot or by public transportation. This year in Philly it was at the Navy Yard, last year on Broad Street, the year before on the JFK Bridge over the Schuylkill, and the first year in Logan Square.

My personal adventure began last June, when I was invited to a preview party at Headhouse Square on the day that the date for this year’s event was announced and the wait list was opened. And I was instantly hooked. Maybe it was the fascinators — ever since the royal wedding, I’ve been fascinated by fascinators (those little objets d’art that perch precariously on your head). Maybe it was the exclusivity: Not everyone gets to go, and the waiting list had 30,000 names from which attendees were selected by lottery. Maybe it was the glamour. Maybe it was that cute little caret over the ‘i’ in Dîner. I don’t know, I just knew I wanted to go, and I was lucky enough to be able to do so, even if it was just to observe.

First, find a friend

Part of the draw is not the event itself but the preparation. First, you must register for a table for two. That means finding a friend who thinks it would be fun to purchase an all-white, head-to-toe outfit, not forgetting a clear poncho and umbrella in case of rain, and then schlep an entire dinner, including table, chairs, table setting, and food to some undisclosed place and party late into the night.

With a waiting list of over 30,000 in Philly, and 4,500 places for attendees, you would think I’d be able to find someone to go with me, but I couldn’t. Is it strictly a millennial form of entertainment? Most of those attending could be so described. Is it just too much trouble? It certainly is, but that’s part of the fun — at least, I thought so.

Where did the 4,500 attendees find all those white clothes? When, having heard the weather forecast for that night, I looked for a clear umbrella and a poncho, those items were almost sold out all over town. (I found the umbrella, and then cut up a white garbage bag in case I absolutely needed something for the rain. I did.) Even a day or two later, I’m finding pockets of white and clear merchandise tucked away in bins at the back of stores and I smile because I know why they’re there.

As someone whose uniform is basic black, I didn’t know there was so much white fabric in the world. And shoes, and bags, and hats. And suits and ties for the men. There is a plethora of white attire that I’ve never noticed before. And now there is a frilly white dress hanging in my closet and taunting the rest of my wardrobe, like a bridesmaid dress that you know you’ll never wear again.

Mob scenes I have known

So what is it about this event, which seems to have supporters and detractors in equal number? I’ve been part of large events before: a Tony Robbins workshop with over 4,000 people in Secaucus, holding hands on Manhattan’s West Side Highway singing We Are the World in 1985. And of course, in the 21st century, similar events take place online: I participate in courses on Coursera and group meditation online with people from around the world. It’s an odd way of being connected with a diverse group of people, and even if you don’t know them, never meet them, you are all doing the same thing. Perhaps it’s the same for Dîner en Blanc. It occurs on different days around the world, but you know that you are part of something that takes place in Paris and New York and London and Shanghai and more. And while many of us have shown up in large numbers to protest something, how often do we get to go to a massive international party to just celebrate?

That for me is what makes it worth doing.