The 4th of July may scream barbeque and fireworks to some, but to Sean (P. Diddy) Combs and Ashton Kutcher, it was dedicated to helping others via Diddy’s infamously glorious “White Party” made famous in the Hamptons and St. Tropez, and referred to by Forbes Magazine as being among the “World’s Hottest Parties.” 
Like many Hollywood fetes, the invitations went out with explicit instructions: dress code (all white); parking location (where to hitch rides on shuttles to / from the party venue); rules regarding cameras (leave them at home); and complete omission of the actual party’s address (private mansion off Mulholland Drive). Obviously, security is a concern. But, even more so is a desire to keep out the unwanted paparazzi who descend in droves like vultures on 3-day old road kill.
Sure, media coverage is both wanted and encouraged but magazines, website editors and TV outlets have been specifically selected and invited…. As were the scores of models hired for the event, to loll around in white bikinis and big sunglasses, and play on swings suspended above the lap pool decorated with crystal chandeliers and draped in white mosquito netting. Still, the message for this event is clear: We are partying to save families devastated by Malaria, and we are serious about this cause. Combs and Kutcher were present and engaged with party guests, as well as live on the Internet, to bring attention to malaria, a preventable disease, which kills a million kids per year in sub-Saharan Africa. 
Scott Case, a technology entrepreneur (and brains behind such companies as Priceline.com) is the CEO of Malaria No More. He speaks passionately and earnestly about this illness, which kills a child every 30 seconds: “The step we can take to stop them dying is as simple as providing mosquito nets and medical treatments.” Case is teaming with rap star P. Diddy’s and Ashton Kutcher to promote parties in 45-cities around the world, each raising money for Malaria victims.
At the Los Angeles White Party on July 4th, Case explained it to me this way: “From a humanitarian stand point, it is accomplishable… Ashton Kutcher is using his Twitter page to reach the world, we can utilize that. Sean Combs – what a fantastic marketer. We can use their savvy to change the situation. Its an incredible opportunity.” His goal is that no child should die from malaria by 2015.
Kutcher and drop-dead gorgeous wife Demi Moore invited Twitter followers to an inside peek into the party peppered with celebrities such as Tom Green, Russell Brand, Khloe Kardashian, Marla Maples, some chicks from The Hills or the O.C. (one of those teeny-bopper “reality” shows) and singer-turned-girlfriend-attacker Chris Brown who, disturbingly, remained surrounded by eager young women on the all-white round, rotating dance floor.
In addition to hip-hop music, and Diddy himself rapping and calling out to the crowd over the microphone, guests were treated to unlimited sips of Georges DuBoeuf white wines whose “Sip into Summer Whites” theme paired beautifully with the al-fresco extravaganza. Nicholas Ronteix the Director of the Georges DuBeouf wine portfolio explained how the brand fits with the White Party and its philanthropic goals: “French wine is about both style and substance, a bit like French fashion designers. People close to the product are obsessed with perfection while appealing to the masses. Obviously, this is a high profile event – and we feel that having both style and substance is about helping others. [By being involved with this] we can help provide mosquito nets and funding for families in Africa.”
The 400 guests were treated to one of my favorites, Georges DuBoeuf’s Pouilly Fuisee which has a bouquet of almonds, verbena and a hint of vanilla from its 6-8 month aging in oak. We were also served a crisp Macon-Villages, which has floral notes such as lilies and fresh citrus with a touch of hazelnut on the finish. Ronteix emphasized to me that these sophisticated-yet-approachable wines pair well with the “down home cooking”on the party’s menu because opposite flavors can be intriguing and balance one another.
The fuel for the fun was flown in from Washington DC, only two days before the party. Marlow & Sons caterer Richard Jackson brought along his buddy Frank Dalton, Executive Chef of the Palm restaurant in Tysons Corner, VA to help. “Normally, for a party like this, we’d start preparing 2 weeks in advance. For this one, we had 10 hours!,” he exclaimed. “We flew in from DC on Thursday, bought food on Friday and immediately came up to this mansion to start prepping it! But, it’s a hell of an experience. Its worth it. And, I couldn’t do it without Frank.” F rank agreed, “Yeah, he’s my brotha from another motha. And, look around, we’re both half crazy!”
Looking around the sea of gorgeous people clad in white sipping sipping Georges DuBeouf and Veuve Cliquot a-go-go, eating white Ciroc vodka cupcakes, toting complimentary pairs of white Havaiana flip-flops, partying like rockstars for a good cause… crazy might be a word that comes to mind. But crazy in the best possible of ways. This is using celebrity for a good cause. Its famous, rich people at their best.
Scott Case drives home the point, “One of the things we have to do is keep malaria in the media. The biggest thing about a party like this is using the power of these other brands. [The goal] is to live a life that can help others.”