They say you’re the sum of the people you surround yourself with, which, as far as clichés go, rings true. At The Company You Keep, a recent dinner co-hosted by Dazed in Los Angeles, that belief was put into practice as founders, brand leaders and various creatives from a wide range of industries gathered for a night aimed at creating unexpected connections. The result was an evening where conversations flowed, friendships formed, and guests left with not only a full stomach, but a string of new relationships.

Taking place at the West Hollywood EDITION on August 5th, the dinner was hosted by Izzy Farmiloe, Global Head of Strategy and Growth at Dazed Media; Lauren Gallo, VP of Brand Marketing at Disney; Stephanie Ketty, SVP of Global Business Development at BFA, and Eliseé Browchuk, Director of Events at The Lede Company. The guest list was designed to extend beyond a single sector, with leaders present from fashion, technology, music, media and beyond. You were as likely to meet a Skims executive as you were to meet a local restaurateur, making it an occasion that transcended industry lines.

“Ultimately, the evening wasn’t about networking for networking’s sake,” said Dazed’s Izzy Farmiloe. “It was about creating the conditions for culture to happen, because the best ideas emerge when different worlds collide.”

Here’s what went down.

THE SETTING WAS A SUMMER DREAM

With a venue like Ardor, the EDITION’S signature restaurant, it’s pretty much impossible to have a bad night. The dinner took place in the restaurant’s vibrant private garden, which served as an enchanting backdrop for an evening of mingling. 

GUESTS CAME IN THEIR WEDNESDAY BEST

You can always count on LA gatherings to have a well-dressed crowd, and The Company You Keep was no exception. With a guest list as diverse as this one, it’s safe to say that no two looks were the same. 

SHARING PLATES AND PERSPECTIVES

It’s hard to think of a better way to bond with someone than by sharing a meal with them. As plates of broccolini, miso eggplant and Spanish octopus were passed around, diners got to know seatmates who might’ve previously been strangers.

THE CONNECTIONS WENT BEYOND THE TABLE

As dishes were cleared and information was swapped, conversations continued well into the night, with no shortage of new bonds created.