Richard Blackwell, best known simply as Mr. Blackwell, died Sunday afternoon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles of complications from an intestinal infection. He was 86.
Mr. Blackwell was the creator of the Ten Worst Dressed Women list, an annual awards presentation he unveiled in January of each year. The list has long be a favorite list of gossip and pop magazines worldwide since the list first appeared as an adjunct to the American Weekly magazine in 1960.
Although Blackwell always praised great dress celebrities, it was his wit applied to the worst dressed that he will always be remembered for. Among his memorable barbs:
1999: Martha Stewart (“She dresses like the centerfold for the Farmer’s Almanac.”) 2007: Amy Winehouse (“Exploding beehives above…tacky polka-dots below…she’s part 50’s car-hop horror.”) 2006: Britney Spears and Paris Hilton (tie) (“Two peas in an overexposed pod! Style-free and fashion deprived… ladies and gentlemen, the ‘SCREAMGIRLS’ have arrived!”) 2005: Mary-Kate Olsen (“In bag lady rags that look depressingly decayed – forget the ‘accessories’ and buy some Raid.”) 2004: Lindsay Lohan (“Overhyped and underdressed, What’s happened to Lindsay? When it comes to fashion, she’s in a schizophrenic frenzy!”)
Blackwell also spent time as an actor and fashion designer. He is survived by Spencer, his partner of nearly 60 years.
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