Eric Even — Founder of French & Famous
Eric Even. Photo: French & Famous / Loïc Ercolessi
Founder, French & Famous · Co-founder, Influencers Global Awards · Miami
A lawyer who chose the party
Eric Even landed in Miami in July 2002 with a law degree in his pocket and no intention of practicing. Born on Réunion Island and raised in Nantes, he studied law in Paris and London, specializing in international business law. "I wanted international experience," he says. He came to Florida as a commercial attaché at the French Consulate — and never left.
Two years later he was running the French American Chamber of Commerce of Miami. "What struck me here was the networking culture — exchanging cards, sharing experiences. It's what allowed me to become part of the local business world." He had organized parties since university; at the Chamber, it became a craft. In 2007 he produced one of the first major fashion photography exhibitions during Art Basel. Private dinners, galas of several hundred guests — the format changes, the purpose doesn't. "Every time, it's a chance to bring people together. That's the beauty of this job."
Ten years of French & Famous
In 2015, Eric and his partner launched French & Famous around one idea: "the French art of celebration, with the energy and diversity of Miami." The first night took place at 1 Hotel South Beach. Since then: more than 50 events and 30,000 guests — an international crowd from the US, Latin America, Europe and Canada, with a French soul.
Eric Even at a French & Famous night. Photo: Loïc Ercolessi
The calendar has become a ritual: Black & Gold, the brand's anniversary night; the Bal Masqué; Bastille Day; La Nuit Blanche and its all-white dress code; Fashion & Design Night; the Roaring Twenties; the official Miami Swim Week afterparty; Halloween and New Year's Eve — across landmark venues from the Delano, W South Beach, SLS and Nikki Beach to Villa Azur, Sagamore, Eden Roc, The Deck at Island Gardens and Joia Beach.
The dress code gave him one of his favorite stories. At the very first Nuit Blanche, the door team had strict orders: no white, no entry. "I go check the door and see the doorman being yelled at by someone dressed head to toe in black. It was the owner of the venue. He'd been trying to get into his own place for ten minutes."
How Miami nightlife changed
"Until the 1990s, the city wasn't really known for nightlife," Eric recalls. He credits much of the turnaround to French entrepreneurs — from Régine's legendary club in Coconut Grove to the Opium Group that defined South Beach in the 2000s. "That French touch showcased qualities of Miami that Europeans hadn't looked at the same way."
Today, megaclubs have given way to immersive dining and entertainment, and people drink less. "You can feel it." Yet the appetite for a great night is intact: after a quiet summer, La Nuit Blanche at Joia Beach drew 800 guests. "Way more people than we expected. When I asked them, they told me: we go out less, but this is good value."
For Eric, that is the brand's role: "Our regular events are a reason to go out for people who don't really go out anymore. It's not just hardcore partygoers. We also open the doors of premium venues they might not otherwise visit."
Influencers Global Awards
Eric Even at the Influencers Global Awards. Photo: Tom Concordia / Getty Images
Every December during Art Basel week, Eric also produces the Influencers Global Awards — a red-carpet, black-tie gala at the Eden Roc honoring around 150 leading content creators across more than 40 categories. "We're one of the biggest award shows in the world for creators."
He prefers "content creators" to "influencers." "There are people who inspire: women's empowerment, travel experts who make you want to go somewhere, creators who stand out through non-profit work." Today they come from finance, AI, medicine, pastry. "They're also there to make knowledge accessible." And it is demanding work: "A content creator is a mini-company. Staying at the top takes enormous discipline."
The connector
From the consulate to the rooftops, the thread is the same. "Events, creating friendships, helping artists and creators grow — it's deeply satisfying. I feel like I can connect people." And a mission for newcomers: "We all need places to help us start a new life."
His own verdict, 24 years after landing in Florida: "I have a full life, doing what I love: giving people a moment of joy."
The party goes on.
In the press
Quotes adapted from Eric Even's interview with Le Courrier des Amériques (September 2026) — read the original article (in French).
Contact: eric@frenchandfamous.com · Instagram · Influencers Global Awards