Last year, Diddy's famous white party took place in St. Tropez. So on Sunday, the question was, could he make the same world-famous alll white fete sexy in East Hampton at the end of summer.
Well, Diddy's party - designed with party promoter to the stars Jessica Rosenblum - did not disappoint.
Not all expected guests showed up. But a number of superstars did and they wore white: Lil' Kim, Mariah Carey in towering white patent-leather heels, Kim Porter (with the twins), Ashley Olsen mainly in white but with black heels, and Diddy's neighbor Donna Karan in a white surrounded by a bevy of young, handsome men. Busta Rhymes also attended as did Mama Combs, Diddy's mother.
Just after Diddy had sent one guest home for wearing cream, Katie Lee Joel arrived in a clothes that were off white. After the men at the gate told her her getup wouldn't do, Diddy's crew tried to hook her up with Sean John clothes, but she had already turned to go home and change. This writer believes he spotted her later in the evening in pure white at the party.
Guests also confirmed that lavish entertainment at the party included two women dancing with white fabric wings, a woman who used a sawlike grinder to shoot sparks off her metal corset, a trapeze artist, flame swallowers, and both Doug E. Fresh and DJ Cassidy at the DJ booth.
Like Gatsby, Diddy exhorted the crowd from a balcony overlooking the party.
At one point he mentioned that when he didn't have money to party there, he used to pass Tavern on the Green and dream of people dancing on his lawn. He then asked guests to move to the lawn and dance, where he joined them with Tommy Lee.
In fact, the party is said to have re-created the look of the outdoor areas at Tavern on the Green, with pin lights wrapped in the trees and large round white paper lanterns hanging from branches.
Cold Stone ice cream was served to order, as well as oysters and lobster and steak (thanks to caterer to the stars Janet O'Brien). And CIroc Vodka kept the two bars well stocked, said sources.
Large balloons floating over the yard, lit from within, were also used as projection screens to show TV ads for Unforgivable, Diddy's new fragrance for men
At the crowded afterparty at Dune in Southampton were Busta Rhymes (who ate McDonald's in his car in the parking lot served up by club staff); Diddy, who wore a hoodie; and Tommy Lee, who got cozy with a date in booth 25.
Al Reynolds, who had showed up at Diddy's house with Star Jones, was at the Dune at 3 a.m. And shortly thereafter, a $200 order of fries from McDonald's was served by staffers to exhausted revelers.
St. Tropez eat your heart out.
- JEFFREY SLONIM
