Long gone are the days when Downtown was dominated by the financial industry and the sidewalks were rolled up at 5:00 p.m., after the final call of the day. New businesses like Condé Nast, Seaport, Group M, Spotify, 10 Corso Como, Uber, Zola, have brought a vibrant, young and family-focused workforce with them.
Once again, Downtowners have banded together to send a message to the world. We have been publishing for 11 years now, and the changes we have witnessed and been a part of are epic. It’s difficult to report on the tragic news but, with tragedy, there is always triumph. Here in Lower Manhattan, like the rest of New York, we bounce back.
“Lights of Hope” Buildings in Lower Manhattan to Shine in Red, White, and Blue
Photo by Kirit Prajapati
One World Trade Center, Pier 17 at the Seaport District, Brookfield Place, 111 and 115 Broadway, 55 Water Street and 20 Exchange Place will be lighting up in red, white, and blue to show hope and solidarity, while other Downtown buildings are working to join them over the next several days. Buildings throughout the entire city are encouraged to follow suit and add their own “lights of hope.”
“This is a moment to band together, show pride in a tough time, and light up the Lower Manhattan skyline with hope,” said Jessica Lappin, President of the Alliance for Downtown New York. “Whether it’s red, white and blue or with a single white beacon, buildings across Lower Manhattan will light themselves in honor of our determination to endure and recover.”
One of the initiating property owners offered this:
“In this time of need, we as New Yorkers and Americans are looking for symbols of hope – both in our communities and across the country,” said Saul Scherl, President of the New York Tri-State Region of The Howard Hughes Corporation. “We Wanted to unite our community and light up the buildings of Lower Manhattan together to show our solidarity, our resiliency, and our persistent hope for the future.”
We as a city and world have gone through a lot in the past 20 years, the greatest trait is that we always come out on the other side stronger and better than before. Thank you to our leaders mentioned in this piece, and thank you to all who believe in hope!
Photo courtesy of Eric Vitale and Dîner en Blanc International
When it rains, it pours, but Dîner en Blanc guests kept the party going even when storms tried to dampen the fun. NYC attendees of Wednesday night’s Dîner en Blanc, a worldwide pop-up picnic experience, faced down an evening storm, causing some to flee for drier pastures. Many stayed, brandishing stylish umbrellas prepared for just such an occasion, but were eventually forced to retreat by thunder and lighting.
The gathering was the ninth such event hosted in New York City. The worldwide event traces its roots back to the late ’80s, founded in France as a friendly tradition by François Pasquier. 5,500 attendees brought food, table settings, and all-white evening wear to a mystery location, revealed last minute, for a picnic event replete with music and entertainment. Guests were advised to bring umbrellas or rain ponchos in anticipation of the weather.
Downtown’s own Grace A Capobianco was on the scene, surveying the scene and enjoying the fare, when the storm hit. “It was wonderful having Dîner en Blanc back here at battery Park city,” she told us, “We think it’s the best place to have any beautiful outdoor event, especially the world-famous Dîner en Blanc.
“As always every detail was thought of prior to the event. Dîner en Blanc prepares one of the largest events to hit the city in an organized fashion, and when it leaves, the area is as pristine as it was when they arrived. We are proud to cover Dîner en Blanc once again, as we have been since 2015.”
The event has experienced wide popularity in the city with attendees as well as partners, including Citi Entertainment, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Sofitel, Taittinger Champagne, President Cheese, and our own Downtown Magazine.
Check out some of the awesome pictures of the event, courtesy of Eric Vitale and Dîner en Blanc International.
Our great city, New York was the first city in the U.S. to host the worlds largest dinner party. Since then it has been a mad rush for Le Dîner en Blanc enthusiasts to sign up year after year.
September 17, 2018, the wildly popular event will make its return to the Big Apple for the 8th consecutive year.Over 6500 guests dressed head-to-toe in chic white will gather at an iconic undisclosed location to dine and dance under the stars.
30th Anniversary DEB
Can you believe that this year marked the 30th anniversary of the world renown Le Dîner en Blanc?
Mais bien sûr, it was befitting to hold its 30th right where the magnificent dinner party made its debut, Paris France. A record-breaking 17,000 guests from France and around the world gathered at the Esplanade des Invalides to celebrate this historic moment.
The legendary all-white French-inspired pop-up dinner party has become the must-attend culinary event of the year in the U.S. and cities around the world. A worldwide phenomenon, this year over 130,000 people in 80 cities spanning 30 countries will attend. To preserve spontaneity and secrecy, the elegant dinner takes over iconic public spaces whose locations are revealed at the last minute to the delight of thousands of guests.
We are thrilled to share with you Downtown’s renowned chef and Michelin Star recipient restaurateur, Marc Forgione will be curating four special picnic baskets for guests in New York who order through Le Dîner en Blanc. Forgione was featured in Downtown Magazine in 2013, riding a wave of success since opening his eponymous restaurant Marc Forgione in 2008 along with multiple locations of his modern steakhouse, American Cut. You can find this delicious eatery right here in Tribeca, Downtown New York. Chef Forgione won season 3 of Food Network’s “The Next Iron Chef” at just 31 years old, making him the youngest winner in the show’s history and is currently one of the Iron Chefs on Food Network’s “Iron Chef America.” His father Larry Forgione is a culinary legend who revolutionized American-style cooking in the ’70s and ’80s.
Chef Marc Forgione
“I’m excited to be a part of one of the biggest, most sensational events in the world. I’ve always heard that Le Dîner en Blanc is an unparalleled and revolutionary experience and I can’t wait to contribute some of my signature dishes and inventive flavors to the party!” Chef Marc Forgione
DEB NYC Lincoln Center
This must-attend dinner party is by invitation only, traditionally issued by friends and friends of friends who have participated in the past. Another means of attending is via the often-extensive wait lists in each city.
The event has proven to be such a beloved tradition that across the country the number of cities has increased to 32 with five premieres in 2018 alone: Charlotte, Decatur, Fort Lauderdale, Indianapolis, Memphis, and Wilmington. While new cities join the adventure every year, in some cities like Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., Le Dîner en Blanc has become the social gathering of the year, move over Met Gala!
Internationally four cities have joined this extraordinary dinner party this year, Toowoomba (Australia), South Georgian Bay and Trois-Rivières (Canada) Madrid (Spain), as well as five new countries: Santiago (Chile), Cartagena (Colombia), Havana (Cuba), Taipei (Taiwan) and Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania).
Be sure to keep an eye on your favorite city, over the next few years as this dinner party continues to expand!
DEB Vancouver
Looking for an excuse to be outlandishly dressed from head to toe in white?
Dîner en Blanc Romance
Guests dine on their own specially curated meals such as lobster, charcuterie, cheese platters, baguettes and desserts, many dishes as opulent as their attire.
Dîner en Blanc offers guests the ultimate opportunity to express their unique fashion and design style. Originality is encouraged; the creative outfits, fantastical hats, and decorative table settings are always a fabulous spectacle. It’s an Instagram lover’s dream — some participants dress as Marie Antoinette with lavishly detailed gowns and wigs. Other ensembles include gowns embellished with string lights, fairy wings, silk tuxedos, dapper sailor suits, powdered wigs, enormous picture hats, and headpieces. The elaborate white table centerpieces range from a miniature carousel centerpiece with each horse carrying a white or silver cupcake to birds in white cages and paper lanterns affixed with LED lights and candelabras.
Diner en Blanc 2017 Querataro photo Mauricio De La Vega 20.jpg
To get a sense of the incredible visuals and how the evening unfolds, here is the 2017 official video of Le Dîner en Blanc – New York.
Linda Davis and Kaitlin Davis of The Davis Group return this summer as the host for Le Dîner en Blanc – New York, along with co-hosts Christine Tripoli of Looking Glass Events Group and Peter Kohlmann of PEKO Productions. Davis, who serves as host in four U.S. cities, says the Big Apple holds a special place in her heart. She explains, “Le Dîner en Blanc first debuted in New York before expanding to other U.S. cities and guests here have developed an extraordinarily passionate bond with the event. They bring a glamour and elegance—along with preparing amazing repasts—that make this an incomparable night in New York. I am thrilled to be a part of such a magical evening again.
LeDîner en Blanc – New York gratefully acknowledges our 2018 Le Dîner en Blanc U.S. national partners.
About Luxury Retreats
Luxury Retreats a full-service villa rental company dedicated to creating authentic travel experiences. Our complimentary guest support includes a team of villa specialists dedicated to finding our guests the perfect home to stay in, and a 24/7 personal concierge service to assist with details big and small. For more information on Luxury Retreats, visit luxuryretreats.com.
About Sofitel
Sofitel Hotels & Resorts is an ambassador of modern French style, culture, and art-de-vivre around the world. Established in 1964, Sofitel is the first international luxury hotel brand to originate from France with over 120 chic and remarkable hotels in the world’s most sought-after destinations. Sofitel exudes a refined and understated sense of modern luxury, always blending a touch of French decadence with the very best of the locale. The Sofitel collection includes such notable hotels as Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg, Sofitel London St James, Sofitel Munich Bayerpost, Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Ipanema, Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, and Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort. Sofitel is part of AccorHotels, a world-leading travel and lifestyle group which invites travelers to feel welcome at more than 4,300 hotels, resorts, and residences, along with some 10,000 of the finest private homes around the globe. More at sofitel.com.
About ONEHOPE
Located in the heart of Napa Valley, ONEHOPE’s mission is to bring people together to celebrate and serve the world. Each of ONEHOPE’s thoughtfully-crafted products supports a charitable cause, empowering people to do more good through everyday actions. Primarily produced in collaboration with Rob Mondavi Jr., ONEHOPE provides award-winning wine with a measurable social impact. Since its launch, more than $3 million in donations have been made to help feed the hungry, provide clinical trials for cancer patients, find forever homes for shelter animals, and much more. For more information on ONEHOPE, visit ONEHOPEwine.com.
The Knot
The Knot is the nation’s leading multiplatform wedding resource offering a seamless, all-in-one planning experience—from finding inspiration and local wedding pros to creating and managing all guest experiences, wedding registries and more. The trusted brand reaches a majority of engaged couples in the US through the #1 wedding planning website TheKnot.com and #1 iOS and Android mobile app. The Knot Wedding Planner, The Knot national and local wedding magazines, and The Knot book series.
CHAMPAGNE JACQUART was born in1964 when around 30 craftsmen winegrowers decided to start an incredibleadventure: share their know-how and theirexceptional vineyards in order to createhigh-quality wines. Today Champagne JACQUART is as much as ever a mosaic of chalk, vine, andtalents that work every day to build the history of the brand.Audacious, passionate and firmly modern oriented, CHAMPAGNE JACQUART isproudly entering its future.https://www.champagne-jacquart.com
We have our whites being prepared, as should, you if you are lucky enough to secure a ticket!
Sri Lankan native Designer Kasuni Rathnasuriya of the brand Kûr, presented at NYFW for the first time. For KÛR’s Spring / Summer 2018 collection, Kasuni Rathnasuriya uses the white shirt as the medium to bridge the gap between sophisticated dressing and street style, exploring all ranges of femininity and formality. Filled with KÛR’s signature Beeralu, a handmade lace from Sri Lanka, the collection exudes a traditionally feminine, romantic tone, featuring ruffles, statement collars, and decadent sleeves.
These white shirts are mixed and matched with a variety of bottoms, from overflowing ruffled skirts to tuxedo pants in soft linen and plaid patterns, displaying the versatility of the white shirt and how it can be dressed both up and down. Whimsicality is also interwoven into the collection, with lace ladybugs, butterflies, and other small insects embroidered onto different pieces throughout the collection.
The KÛR Spring / Summer 2018 collection invites the traditional craft of Beeralu which dates back 300 years, into the modern era, melding the lines between upscale dressing and urban street style and highlighting the versatility of femininity through the white shirt.
Designer Kasuni Rathnasuriya also collaborated with Tokyo-based etching print artist Mitsushige Nishiwaki to create a white graphic T-shirt, further adding to the urban dimension of the collection.
Laurean Ossorio gets up close with Designer Kasuni Rathnasuriya of Kûr
Who is Kûr? One of a kind woman.
What is your inspiration and vision for this collection? – Pretty much everything around the street trends, the busy lifestyle of a working woman around the world. Further 18th and 17th century lace ruffles and frills as seen in Brussels, Belgium fine arts museums.
What fabrics are you using this season? 100% cotton poplin, Linen and broderie anglaise
Who is the Kûr woman? She is a confident, serene and outstanding woman, someone who values craftsmanship and authenticity. Someone who wants to out-stand and has a unique personality.
What is the key color of your spring 2018 collection? White , Black , Beige and Pastel blue
What is your signature piece from the collection? The white shirts
What silhouettes are you offering to the Kûr woman this season? Mainly the White shirts. We have created different silhouettes and designs of white shirts for KÛR woman’s every different event of her life style. e.g- Going out, going to work, going for a gala event etc…
Who would you like to be the ideal Kûr women? A confident woman with a big dream who we can find among us
What are the essential items every woman should have in their closet? White shirts, A black dress, trousers , jeans and T-shirts
What is your favorite color? White
What music are you listening to in your playlist? Many type of music – Alternative, hip hop, R&B
What is your favorite song right now? Paris by Groove Armada
What is your favorite genre of music? Alternative music
Who’s your favorite artist? All-time favorite – Leonardo da vinci /Musician – Sam smith
Who’s your favorite musician or group? Linkin Park
What’s your favorite food? Chocolate
What is your favorite drink? Hot chocolate and English tea
What is your favorite travel destination? Europe – Paris
What are you currently reading? “How google works” by Alan Eagle, Eric Schmidt
What is your favorite gadget? iPhone
What did you last google? Havana, Cuba
What was your last purchase? A white t-shirt
What is your favorite tv show?James Cordon show and Big bang theory
Who is your favorite actor / actress? Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Aniston
Give us one phrase to describe spring fashion? Serene and chic.
Dîner en Blanc New York was held at Robert Wagner Jr. Park on Thursday, September 15, 2016.
5000 people dressed beautifully in white, descended upon the the riverfront of New York Harbor. With views of the Statue of Liberty, guests mingled, dined, danced, celebrated and made new friends all in the spirit of Dîner en Blanc. Photography by Jennifer Heffner/Vita Images.
The pop-up culinary phenomenon Dîner en Blanc returns to New York on August 22 for its 7th year. Over 5,000 guests dressed in white will gather at a fabulous secret location to dine and dance under the stars in a secret location.
The legendary French-inspired secret pop-up dinner party is among the most coveted events of the year, bringing together food lovers, cultural enthusiasts, and fashionistas.
All guests must dress elegantly in head-to-toe white, and that means no ivory, no off-white, and no beige. They state that “originality is always encouraged”, as long as it stays stylish and tasteful. That being said, if you’re lucky enough to join this exclusive event, you are probably searching for a glamorous white-out outfit.
Downtown Magazine put together our top all-white, elegant outfits for the fabulous Dîner en Blanc.
It’s time to bring out that red, white, and blue spirit and celebrate freedom – but where can you find a last minute outfit? Dresses are always a go-to during the hot summer days and there are many ways to casually dress in spirit of Independence Day.
Here are 5 dresses for those scrambling for a last minute Fourth of July outfit and also appropriate to beat the heat.
