On Nov. 28, 1966, writer Truman Capote would host “the party of the century” at New York’s Plaza Hotel. The Black and White Ball signified the peak of Capote’s career following the release of his bestselling true crime novel, “In Cold Blood.”
“I feel like I fell into a whole mess of piranha fish,” the writer told WWD weeks before the event, referring to the circling socialites, politicos and fellow creatives who were desperately angling for coveted invites.
What Capote called his “little masked ball for all of his friends” was anything but minuscule: its 500-plus guest list was chock full of film, literary and high society icons. The party marked Capote’s successful foray into the starry world he’d always longed to be apart of.
Here, a selection of Black and White Ball photos from WWD’s archive.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images Washington Post publisher Katherine Graham and writer Truman Capote arriving at the Black and White Ball at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images Lee Radziwill arrives at the Black and White Ball.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images Lauren Bacall arrives at the Black and White Ball.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow attend the Black and White Ball.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images Gordon Parks and Elizabeth Campbell at the Black and White Ball.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images Gloria Guinness arrives at the Black and White Ball.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images Françoise de Langlade, editor in chief of French Vogue, and Oscar de la Renta arriving at the Black and White Ball.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images Jacqueline de Ribes and Candice Bergen arriving at the Black and White Ball.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images Eunice Kennedy with husband Sargent Shriver at the Black and White Ball.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images Princess Luciana Pignatelli and guest arriving at the Black and White Ball.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images Interior designer Billy Baldwin wears a Gene Moore-designed unicorn mask at the Black and White Ball.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images Amanda Carter Burden and guest arrive at the Black and White Ball.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images A couple in masks arriving at the Black and White Ball.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images Two women arriving at the Black and White Ball.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images A woman in a mask arriving at the Black and White Ball.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images A couple in masks arriving at the Black and White Ball.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images A woman in a mask arriving at the Black and White Ball.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images A couple in masks arriving at the Black and White Ball.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images Women in masks arriving at the Black and White Ball.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images A couple arriving at the Black and White Ball.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images A woman in a feathered mask arriving at the Black and White Ball.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images A woman in a mask arriving at the Black and White Ball.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images A couple in masks arriving at the Black and White Ball.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images A couple in masks arriving at the Black and White Ball.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images Two women arriving at the Black and White Ball.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images A couple arriving at the Black and White Ball.
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Looking Back at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball [PHOTOS]
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images Two women in masks arriving at the Black and White Ball.