For years, Diddy’s legendary White Parties have reigned supreme on Labor Day, creating unforgettable fashion moments that have left a lasting mark on pop culture. From 1998 to 2009, this annual extravaganza was the hottest ticket in town, boasting a guest list that transcended entertainment, business, finance, fashion, and technology.
Paris Hilton fondly recalled the early days of the White Party, saying, “I remember the first party he threw in the Hamptons. It was iconic, and everyone was there.”
During the early 2000s, an invitation to this exclusive event signified A-list status, attracting celebrities such as the Kardashians, the Hilton sisters, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Al Sharpton, and Martha Stewart.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Diddy’s inaugural White Party, which took place on September 7, 1998, over Labor Day weekend.
The tradition began when Sean Combs, also known as Diddy (formerly Puffy, Puff Daddy, and P. Diddy), decided to showcase his new Hamptons residence by hosting a barbecue for over 200 glitterati. The initial event featured a predominantly old-money, white crowd, leading the media to dub the rapper a “modern-day Gatsby.” Diddy embraced this comparison, boldly stating, “I am the Great Gatsby” during a 2001 interview with The Independent.
In reality, Diddy’s intentions differed from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Gatsby, who threw extravagant parties to impress his wealthy neighbors. Diddy aimed to bridge the gap between hip-hop and the mega-rich, uniting both worlds for the sake of unity.
“I wanted to strip away everyone’s image and put us all in the same color, and on the same level,” Diddy explained to Oprah during a 2006 interview, reflecting on the inaugural Labor Day bash. “I had the craziest mix: some of my boys from Harlem; Leonardo DiCaprio, after he’d just finished Titanic. I had socialites there and relatives from down south. There were 200 people sitting out here, just having a down-home cookout.”
According to cultural observers, Diddy’s parties played a pivotal role in changing hip-hop and American culture forever.
Over the years, the White Parties expanded from the Hamptons to Los Angeles and Saint-Tropez, with additional Fourth of July iterations. These events also served as major fundraisers for various international charities.
The last official White Party took place in Los Angeles in 2009, marking the end of an incredible era. As we reminisce about these iconic gatherings, let’s take a look back at some of the seminal fashion moments they produced.
