In straightforward, black-and-white terms, the reason for this party was simple: We love the people we work with, and a great party is great gift! We wanted to create something memorable, luxurious, and unusual…but also fun for us and for everyone we invited. None of us felt like renting a Big Bird costume. Nor did we relish “investing” even $9.99 in a Naughty Nurse getup or a Chippendale’s rip-away shirt and bow tie. So we settled on timeless elegance for Halloween.
The OG Black and White Ball
On November 28, 1966, writer Truman Capote hosted what is still the gold standard for high-fallutin’ parties: The Black and White Ball at New York’s Plaza Hotel. Capote claimed that the whole thing was designed to honor Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham, but almost 60 years later, it’s not Graham but Capote who’s the focus of attention. He curated a showy guest list of Hollywood royalty, literary figures, political elites, and society figures — from Frank Sinatra, Mia Farrow, Candace Bergen, and Andy Warhol to most of Capote’s swans: Babe Paley, CZ Guest, Lee Radziwill, and Gloria Vanderbilt.
TABLE Publisher Justin Matase, photographer Laura Petrilla, writer Camila Alarcón Cordón, TABLE Director of Operations Star Laliberte.
The rules were simple: Dress in black-and-white, with masks optional. Some wore expensive designer duds. Some wore elaborate masks, drawing upon traditional Venetian commedia dell’arte shapes. Others, fueled by imagination, invented confections of lace and fake jewels that towered over other guests and created a stir. If they respected the boundaries of black-and-white-only, anything was possible. This sounded like a challenge our extended TABLE crew
would really enjoy.
Black and White in 2025
And enjoy it they did. Some, like mixologist Zak Durkin and his wife, Holly, looked like they stepped out of one of the parties in the 1957 Academy Award-winning film, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Justin Matase, James Mohn, and Star Laliberte went with feathered masquerade pieces. Jason Grant of Medici Importers Global went classically Venetian with an all-black Carnevale mask. Dani and Dave Bryce added touches of 21st century scale and dynamism to their Venetian-inspired masks, as did Janet Wizig, her daughter Tori Barankin, and Stephanie Cravotta.
Tori Barankin, TABLE Director of Advertising Janet Wizig, TABLE Director of Digital Advertising Stephanie Cravotta. Holly and Zack Durkin. Chef Selina Progar and her mom. Olivia Jobe and Cole Modell.
Our favorite trio of North Siders, Meg Van Dyke, Leah Hohman Esser, and Katie Long deployed handmade embellishments that were the envy of all. Dominika Bronner and Laura Petrilla were at the crest of a wave of intricate laser-cut lace masks that both revealed and concealed their wearers. Camila Alarcón and several others followed suit. Selena Progar went with beaded fringe, as did a handful of others. Danny Mankin, Kirsten Necochea, and Cara George blended lace and netting and other chic trimmings from their wardrobes with a few classic costume-party touches that leaned toward Halloween. My own devil’s horn sunglasses and Moroccan cape went in the same direction.
Why Black and White Parties Still Work
Nearly six decades later, the Black and White Ball is still a reference point for clever party planners. The simplicity of the theme allows it to transcend seasons and styles. It can be interpreted as sleek and modern, vintage and romantic, spooky and surreal, or minimalist and avant-garde. You can scour local vintage shops for accessories or go online to find some surprisingly unique pieces. If you’re crafty, though, you don’t have to stop at shopping. Imagination and play are welcomed and encouraged: you can whip up your own grand idea and stun your fellow partygoers!
If all of that sounds too much for your busy schedule and overburdened mind, just reach into your closet. There’s a good chance you already have something in there that’s just right. A little black dress, a crisp white shirt, tailored trousers, or a classic blazer can form the base of your look. You can stop there, or continue on with a vintage strand of pearls, a velvet dinner jacket, a dramatic feathered headdress, or a sequined ball masque. These touches let you showcase your personality without the pressure of sourcing an elaborate costume. The Black and White Ball theme lets fashion and fun meet with minimal effort.
How to Plan Your Own Black and White Ball
Make a guest list. Go online and find a resource like evite.com to create a classic monochrome invitation. Send out the invites with a note that reassures people that black-and-white is the only rule. For people who asked additional questions about the dress code, we sent some vintage YouTube videos from Capote’s 1966 party. That did the trick!
Photographer Dave Bryce, Dani Bryce. Cara George, Danny Mankin, Kirsten Necochea. Katie Long, Meg Van Dyke, Leah Hohman Esser. TABLE Editor in Chief Keith Recker and Dominika Bronner.
Next up: food and drink. The Fluted Mushroom suggested just the right thing: classic hors d’oeuvres like deviled eggs with a sprinkle of caviar, mini potato latkes, and other delicious party fare. They parked a large cheese and charcuterie board off to the side…and that was that. We stocked up on sparkling wine, as well as red, white, and rosé, and sparkling water. Our friends at Weisshouse loaned us a massive clam shell to fill with ice to keep things cold. Sweet Talkers provided some on-theme cookies. After that, we didn’t give food and drink another thought: we were as free to enjoy the party as everyone else. And enjoy it we did!
Story by Keith Recker
Production by Star Laliberte
Food by The Fluted Mushroom
Balloons by Party on Butler
Cookies by Sweet Talkers
Linens by Party Mosaic
Photography by Jeff Swensen
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