The eighth annual Le Diner en Blanc was on Sept. 21 this year. The fashion of the day is white and everyone is dressed in all white for this chic picnic. The location is a secret every year until they pick you up by chartered bus and take you to an undisclosed destination. There are many pickup locations around the county to accommodate the 1,700-plus people. This year, the venue was the Del Mar Fairgrounds. There is a statue there of Don Diego Alvarado, which greets people as they arrive. He is one of the most famous people in the history of San Diego. His ranch hosted many parties and his family’s agricultural land grew most of the plants for the World’s Fair in Balboa Park.
When we arrived, we were divided into two sections — the Plaza de Mexico, with its beautiful fountain, and the lush grass of the Paddock. Once we arrived, we had 15 minutes to set up an elegant place setting with white tables, chairs, and plates. It was a picture-perfect evening as we dined to the amazing jazz music of the Danny Green Duo. As the sun went down, there was an incredible sunset along the San Diego horizon among a sea of white. Acrobats Molly Murcia and Sadie Lindley from J7 Productions performed for us. At 7:15 p.m., everyone participated in the napkin wave and there was a sea of twirling napkins.
After dinner, guests strolled through the historic Del Mar landscape, looking at all the imaginative tables. Many of these artistic creations had lights, and they all had candles with lights on the table. A photo booth was set up in both the Paddock and the Plaza de Mexico for everyone’s enjoyment. DJ Taze played tunes for the guest to dance to. A huge crowd danced the cha-cha, slide and the “Cupid Shuffle” moving throughout the tables.
The fashions were amazing this year. The guests seem to be more creative each year with elaborate headdresses and some even added lights to their attire. Prizes are given out for the best-dressed man, best-dressed woman, the best tablescape, and the best member-captured photo. Guests are currently submitting their photos to qualify with prizes awarded two weeks after the event.
Le Diner en Blanc is an international event that began in Paris in 1988. Francois Pasquier invited a handful of his friends to an elegant outdoor dinner and asked them to all wear white. The rest is history and the event takes place in more than 90 cities around the world such as Sydney, New York, and Montreal. If you would like to be put on the waiting list for this memorable event, visit: sandiego.dinerenblanc.com.
PRÓXIMOS EVENTOS
Monday, Oct. 14 — Zandra Rhodes: 50 Fabulous Years in Fashion at 7:30 p.m. at Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave.Book signing to celebrate Rhodes, one of Britain’s most recognized designers, and her 50 years in fashion. The designs are from 1969 to present. For more information, visit warwicks.com.
Thursday, Oct. 17 — Feast on Fashion at 6 p.m. in the courtyard at Prada & Louis Vuitton Fashion Valley, 7007 Friars Road. Guests will enjoy high fashion, culinary bites, signature cocktails and luxury enhancements. Must be 21 or older. For tickets, visit bit.ly/2ncZOmk.
Diana Cavagnaro is an internationally renowned couture milliner based in the historic Gaslamp Quarter. Learn more about our hat designer, teacher and blogger at DianaCavagnaro.
