Diner en Blanc comes to Atlanta

Atlanta's first Diner en Blanc, held in partnership with Moet Ice Imperial, was held Oct. 16, 2014 at Millennium Gate Park in Atlanta. (Photo by Paras Griffin)

Credit: Yvonne Zusel

Credit: Yvonne Zusel

Atlanta's first Diner en Blanc, held in partnership with Moet Ice Imperial, was held Oct. 16, 2014 at Millennium Gate Park in Atlanta. (Photo by Paras Griffin)

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1778770285001?bctid=3847121382001

True, it's after Labor Day, but hundreds of Atlantans eschewed the fashion directive not to wear white -- and looked good while doing it -- at last night's first Diner en Blanc held in the city.

Touted as the "world's first viral event," the concept was started in France in 1988 and has been held in several big cities throughout the country. The basic idea: Guests, who don't know the location of the dinner until the last minute, wear all white and bring a picnic-style dinner, tables and chairs to share with friends. The dinner commences with the waving of a white napkin, and ends with the lighting of sparklers, followed by dancing.

The Atlanta event -- which coincided with the launch of Moet Ice Imperial in the Atlanta market -- was held at Millennium Gate Park near Atlantic Station. Guests arrived by bus from three pickup points throughout the city, and a large group walked over from Atlantic Station.

Fashionistas and design mavens took the opportunity to show off their style, decorating their tables with large white vases, flowers and candles and donning white fascinators, dresses and suits, creating a small slice of Paris in the heart of Atlanta.