Timeline: White storm that took over the world

1988

Having lived in Tahiti with his family for several years, Parisian Francois Pasquier, then 67 years old, returned to his hometown and decided to throw himself a homecoming party with old acquaintances and friends. Realizing that his garden was too small, Pasquier decided to relocate the picnic to the Bois de Boulogne, the second largest park in Paris which was originally a royal hunting ground.

To make it easier for his guests - there were more than 100 - to spot one another in the open space in which there were other members of the public, he created an all-white dress code, which turned out to be the biggest highlight of the gathering. The vibrant atmosphere encouraged Pasquier to repeat the event on an annual basis. He later introduced an element of secrecy by revealing the location only at the last minute.