Party of the Century; Truman Capote's Black and White Ball; Teri Jon
November 28 marks the 51st anniversary of author Truman Capote’s 1966 Black and White Ball, held inside the Grand Ballroom at the Plaza Hotel.

Party of the Century; Truman Capote's Black and White Ball; Teri Jon

The one-time struggling words man Truman was looking to celebrate his book Breakfast at Tiffany’s and its recent success following his first novel, the critically acclaimed best-selling non-fiction work In Cold Blood.  

Party of the Century; Truman Capote Black and White Ball; Teri Jon Black tie

 

The party was twofold. First, Truman was finally in a financial position to wine and dine in New York’s upper echelon. Second, the man wanted to introduce and honor Katherine “Kay” Graham, the newly appointed female publisher of her family’s newspaper, The Washington Post. Meryl Streep’s latest movie, The Post, is the story of Graham’s life and how she changed investigative journalism forever.

Teri Jon; Truman Capote Party of the Century

The American novelist, screenwriter, playwright, and actor’s guest list included a who’s who of New York’s high society, literary agents, starlets, and business tycoons. Capote’s only goal was to fill the Plaza Hotel’s Grand Ballroom to its maximum capacity of 540.

Party of the Century; Truman Capote's Black and White Dance
Truman Capote’s Party of the Century. Truman Capote’s formal invitation to the Black and White Dance.

The invitation (above) dictated that guests should wear black-and-white attire, a color scheme inspired by Cecil Beaton’s design for Audrey Hepburn in the Ascot scene in the movie My Fair Lady.

Cecil Beaton's design for Audrey Hepburn Ascot scene "My Fair Lady."
A Look Back at Truman Capote’s Party of the Century. British Costume Designer and Photographer Cecil Beaton’s design for Audrey Hepburn in the Ascot scene in “My Fair Lady.”

 

A Look Back at Truman Capote’s Party of the Century. Capote’s Notebook for Black and White Dance. Image Credit: New York Library.

In 1966, the term “FOMO” (or what the kids call the fear of missing out) wasn’t a part of our society’s vocabulary. Reportedly, Capote even taunted those brave enough to ask about attending, saying, “Well, maybe you’ll be invited, and maybe you won’t.”  Truman Capote kept a notebook to keep track of the 540 invitee responses. Actress Tallulah Bankhead threatened to commit suicide if not invited. Truman felt for Bankhead as his mother committed suicide a decade earlier.

Truman Capote Wearing Mask at his Black and White Party in 1966.
A Look Back at Truman Capote’s Party of the Century. Truman Capote said that he paid 39 cents at the F.A.O. Schwartz for the mask he wore at his Black and White Dance in 1966. Image credit: Elliott Erwitt/Magnum

Did you note that the invite listed the dance’s start time as 10 pm? It also stipulated guests wear black and a mask. They dined on spaghetti bolognese, chicken hash, and pastries served at midnight.

Truman Capote and Katherine "Kay" Graham at Party of the Century
A Look Back at Truman Capote’s Party of the Century. Truman Capote with the guest of honor, Katherine “Kay” Graham. Graham is wearing a white wool jersey Balmain trimmed in jet beads. Image credit: Getty
Party of the Century
A Look Back at Truman Capote’s Party of the Century. Image Credit: Elliott Erwitt/Magnum

High society attendees included Rose Kennedy, Sargeant and Eunice Shriver, Lee Radziwill, William and Babe Paley, Jacqueline de Ribes, and Gloria Vanderbilt. Personalities, Newlyweds Frank Sinatra with wife, Mia Farrow, Audrey Hepburn, Henry Fonda and wife, Shirlee Mae Adams, Candice Bergen, Lynda Byrd Johnson, and Tallulah Bankhead to name a few of the 540.

African American photographer and film director Gordon Parks, novelist Ralph, Fanny Ellison, Harry Belafonte, and Sammy Davis, Jr. were the only people of color in attendance. The guest was listed published the next day in the New York Times.

Party of the Century; Guests Wearing Masks at Party of the Century.
A Look Back at Truman Capote’s Party of the Century. Princess Luciana Pignatelli borrowed a diamond from Harry Winston to wear on her forehead instead of a mask.
Masks at Party of the Century
A Look Back at Truman Capote’s Party of the Century. At the dance, an array of masks was on display. Actress Joan Fontaine is wearing a fishnet mask.

 

Candice Bergen at Truman Capote's Party of the Century
A Look Back at Truman Capote’s Party of the Century. 20-year-old Candice Bergen is at Party of the Century holding her bunny mask.
Party of the Century; Iconic Decorator Billy Baldwin wearing perhaps the weirdest mask at the 1966 Black and White Party
A Look Back at Truman Capote’s Party of the Century. November 28, 1966, Manhattan, New York, New York, USA — New York, New York: since costumes were the order of the night at author Truman Capote’s Black and White Dance, this gentleman, Billy Baldwin, went all out and came dressed in what was probably the weirdest mask at the party–one which looks like a cross between the mythical unicorn and a fox. — Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS

Undoubtedly, New York couturiers are busy with commissions for bespoke costumes and fans to match their formal attire. According to Vanity Fair, Fashion designer Adolfo created 125 made-to-order masks at his East 56th Street salon and sold approximately 100 more through Saks Fifth Avenue.

Plaza Hotel; Party of the Century
A Look Back at Truman Capote’s Party of the Century. November 28, 1966, Photo of the entrance to the Plaza Hotel

Many have tried to duplicate Capote’s legendary party. On November 4, 1998, Rapper-mogul Sean Combs celebrated his 29th birthday at New York’s fancy Cipriani restaurant, spending $500,000 and dancing the night away with 1600 guests. There was even a last-minute installation of a custom-made plexiglass dance floor, complete with giant “P.D.” initials that reduced the party’s capacity by 700. Can you imagine the fashionably late celebs turned away from the soiree? Interestingly enough, the first guest to arrive was Donald Trump.

There must be something about throwing a lavish party in New York City in November.

Thank you for reading. Have a fabulous week.