That’s right…this was Emancipation Park in Kingston Jamaica on Saturday night…
On Saturday evening some of us began to notice that something white and wondrous our way was coming. It started with an irreverend tweet from Big Black Barry:
Which part di all white dance a kip? Mi buy a white gun mout bootie mi waan buss pon naiga.
a secret. Not even those attending know as yet but dem raid mi things to set up table. & iron out boasy white clothes. DWL, tweeted back @marciaforbes
Look at the ingenuity from Sandi Spaulding as she prepares for her #DinerEnBlancKgn experience. Will she walk away with the Best Dressed Table @bestdressedja will celebrate those who have made an effort in bringing the most innovative and creative designs.
#wearwhite @dinerenblanckgn #dinerenblanc
As we examined the event’s Facebook page we realized that Kingston’s “first ever refined Epicurean pop up picnic” had been long in the making.
Picture yourself here! This was a scene from Dîner en Blanc – New York in August last year…a sea of white elegance! The waiting list for the first edition of Diner en Blanc Kingston is now open! Click the link in the About section of our Facebook and stay tuned! #savethedate #wearwhite #dinnerwithfriends
On March 7th Epicureans from all over will gather at a secret location for an event filled with Magic and Surprises #DinerEnBlanc #Kingston.
Kingston are you ready to experience the Global Phenomenon #DinerEnBlanc?
Phases 2 & 3 will be open on February 5th and persons on the waiting list will recieve their invitations. Remember the number of places are limited and will be awarded on a first come first serve basis as we have a waiting list of 1600 and growing!
Kingstonians were more than ready as this playful photo demonstrates:
White on white! Thats the dresscode for #DinerEnBlancKingston No exceptions!
People will stare, Make it worth their while” :: don’t let them down! place your order for our #custom decor-in-a-box designs for @dinerenblanckgn . email info@pussbackfoot.com for details #beautyinabox #decorinabox #dinerenblanc #pussbackfoot #style #stylecaanspoil
The merchant community was well integrated into the dynamics of the event.
Having problems finding something to wear? Feel free to check out our clothing partners: @flirtboutiqueja @kerrymwh @ericasavvy @jasandalco @spokesapparel #Gaychel #Signatures #SoHo #Flirt #Elan #JamaicaSandal&co #StyleSavvy #Sabritru #MaxBrown #BossApparel #SpokesApparel #footcandy
For all you last minute shoppers don’t worry. We have partnered with Jamaica’s finest boutiques to ensure that the most elegant and chic attire will be available for #Dinerenblanckgn
Even bougy picnic baskets were flogged at hefty prices.
Leading up to DEB day reminders were rife:
Do you have all your tools for #DinerEnBlancKingston? Remember it’s 4 days away!
The images above were circulated on Facebook to illustrate finer distinctions of the dress code to Jamaicans along with the following advisory: We have a host of clothing partners for you to choose from therefore there will be no exceptions to the dress code.
On the day itself and the 24 hours preceding it references to the One Percent’s Occupy Kingston moment escalated:
Its T minus 17 hours to #DinerEnBlancKingston. We’re putting the finishing touches on the secret location. Are you ready? Did you pack everything? Is your decor on point? Have you picked up that last item to complete your outfit? Are you bringing good cheer and that rock star party hard lifestyle that defines Kingston? If youve done all that and more. You’re ready to unleash the magic. #wearwhite @dinerenblanckgn #dinerenblanc
The upmarket picnic had no shortage of sponsors. The imagined community of Diner en Blanc has deep pockets. Organizers of all floundering and struggling cultural ventures in Jamaica please note…money is available depending on how you incorporate your sponsors into your events and how ‘tasteful’ and simultaneously boasy you are…so get to it! See list below–
But…but…is this not a textbook case of conspicuous consumption you ask? literally eating and drinking as conspicuously as possible–or is it something else? You decide. This blog isn’t into glut-shaming. I’ve just filleted the event for you, that’s all. *Waves napkin*
#MoetandChandon
#WinningWines
#ScotiaInvestments
#BestDressedChicken
#Audi
#JamaicaObserver
#AcquaPananna
#SanPellegrino
#PureCountry
#GuardianGeneralInsurance
#MainEvent
#CafeBlue
Thank you for this post. Having this event in the public park was disgraceful. Shows lack of social conscience. Imagine how the poor people who frequent the park felt when looking at this spectacle. To have it thrown in their face how the “uptown” people live and how exclusive they are. Spend your money as you wish but keep in mind the effect it can have on your fellow citizen’s. How did it feel when the people roped off where watching you eat and drink in the public park in a private affluent function. Emancipation Park is a public park where many people of lower economic status use as a refuge. To have this crap thrown in their face is unacceptable. The use of JUTC buses, which is the sole means of transportation for a lot of people could be considered a mockery. Most of those who attended the function have never used public transportation and never will. I am going to assume that a lot of people who attended this function did not understand the social implication.
Thanks Altamont…apparently a lot of people feel the way you do. I hadn’t heard about the use of the JUTC buses. There’s definitely a need for the privileged to be more thoughtful instead of doing their best to ape the pre-revolutionary French artistocracy–let them eat cake–
The origins of Diner en Blanc are charming and harmless enough but by the time it becomes a global event and reaches the shores of Jamaica it becomes something else…this is what we witnessed a week or two ago…
Oh, they understood alright. They just don’t care. Or maybe they’re in denial
you do have to wonder…
Just people having fun.
yes, at one level yes, its the hype and the bumph that went along with it that was obnoxious plus the exercise of privilege–drinking champagne in a no alcohol zone is a little over the top no?
I wold love ticket link for kingston Jamaica next diner en blanc 2016 ,thank you
Well darling this is the wrong place to look for it…