When Francois Pasquier came up with the idea to host a picnic with friends and dress up in white to find each other, he had no idea it would become an international phenomenon.
Now in its 26th year, Diner en Blanc -- a flash mob concept in which people dress up head to toe in their most elegant white frock and transform a public space into a restaurant terrace -- has been exported to 40 cities worldwide.
Rules are strict: Plastic cutlery and paper plates are forbidden. Participants must bring tables and chairs that conform to precise measurements to ensure a unified esthetic. Women must wear a white hat, gloves, flower or corsage, while men must don a white hat, a white flower boutonniere, and likewise be dressed all in white.
The menu must also be adhered to:
-a bottle of red wine
-a bottle of champagne
-a bottle of water
-4 white dinner plates
-white tablecloth
-white napkins
-real water and wine glasses
-real silverware
-a three-course meal consisting of an entree, cold main dish, and cheese platter or dessert
-bread
-a candle
-2 garbage bags minimum
The flagship Parisian edition is set to take place June 12. Here are some other international dates for Diner en Blanc:
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada: June 26
Copenhagen: June 27
Singapore: July 5
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: July 17
Honolulu: July 19
Kigali, Rwanda: August 8
Montreal: August 14
Vancouver: August 21
Quebec City: August 14
Johannesburg: September 9
New York: September 9
Los Angeles, September 9
Calgary, Alberta, Canada: September 4
Sao Paulo: November 11
Sydney: November 11
Source: Relaxnews