21 Ideas for Black-and-White Parties

The 2011 Emmy Governors Ball had the theme of "mod illusions" with a 1960s-style black-and-white decor scheme that hearkened back to the era of Truman Capote's famous bash.

Todd Events designed the October 2013 event at the Rachofsky House in Dallas. "The black-and-white theme was selected because every year the event has an honorary artist," said a rep for the company. "The artist from last year worked in a black-and-white medium for his art pieces, so we played the event decor off that." Tables were decked with striped linens and glassware that reflected the theme.

The event's menu items also reflected the black-and-white theme.

Instead of a red carpet, designers laid down a black-and-white-striped carpet at the entrance.

This year's event took place at Toronto's the Carlu in February. To bring the old-Hollywood-style Casablanca theme to life, planners filled the dining room with tables decked in simple black linens and surrounded with white-cushioned chairs.

Books and the printed page inspired the Walrus Gala in Toronto in January. The black-and-white color scheme carried over into decor elements such as festive cocktail straws.

For the 2008 event in Toronto, graffiti artist Mike Echlin painted trees against a black backdrop for a haunted-forest effect.

For a 2012 wedding in New York that promoted the series, Sylvia Weinstock designed the cake, which was a black-and-white confection designed to look like a large vase of flowers. Fran Drescher (pictured) officiated.

The museum hosted a gala in 2013 to fete its "Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity" exhibition. Event designer Bill Heffernan of HMR Design Group used a black-and-white color scheme inspired by some of the 19th-century dresses on display. To complement the fashion-inspired setting, tables were topped with 19th-century-style wire urns set atop black-and-white hat boxes.

Here's a clever idea for a black-and-white centerpiece: at the 2009 event in Miami, miniature working pianos were used as centerpieces in the dining room.

At the 2007 event in Washington, designer David Tutera wrapped napkins in paper filmstrips to create an old Hollywood look.

The 2006 ball had a look inspired by writer and illustrator Edward Gorey. Grayson Bakula Design's enchanted forest looked slightly more sinister with Bentley Meeker's barren branch projections.

The 2011 event in Boston had a Batman theme. In a subterranean carnival area, black-and-white signs for sponsors hung above the games. Winners received prizes from the designated sponsor.

At an HP promotion in Los Angeles in 2013, a palette of black and white created a visually striking scene.

At the museum's 2012 event, a streamlined, modern bar stood at the center of the room with an arrangement of black-and-white lanterns hanging overhead.

Striped tablecloths and mismatched seating offered a funky take on the theme at the 2011 event in Los Angeles. White messages decorated black walls in the dining room, and bright green floral arrangements added a pop of color.

The 2013 event took place at a Los Angeles mansion, and black-and-white decor took on a residential feel. To celebrate the heritage of British Airways, the Union Jack appeared on black-and-white pillows at a seating group that surrounded a modern fire pit.

The theme played out in an exotic, draped setting at the 2010 premiere in New York. The venue was divided into three distinct areas, one of which was the black-and white-toned Rink Bar. The producers built custom cabanas in the area, using striped draping, votive candles, and seven-watt globe lights for illumination.

In 2012, the symphony decked its ball in elegant, black-and-white decor from Blueprint Studios.

In 2010, the summertime event took place at an East Hampton sculpture garden and preserve. Presenting a more casual take on the black-and-white theme, planners erected a tented white lounge with large black scrims. The scrims displayed lyrics from honoree Laurie Anderson's songs, including "Falling," "Strange Perfumes," and "Thinking of You."

At the 2011 fund-raiser in Miami, Truman Capote's famous Black and White Ball inspired the look. Deco Productions created two 16- by 42-foot prints to display on either side of the stage, one showing a reclining model, the other showing a large eyeball. Each was divided into six individually framed panels and suspended from the ceiling.