Richard Blackwell dies
(Click the photo to see Mr Blackwell's most memorable worst dressed celebs)
Legendary fashion critic, Mr. Richard Blackwell, died on Sunday. At 86 years young, Mr. Blackwell had been ill for some time, but in the end it was an intestinal infection got the best of him.
Mr. Blackwell was best known for his annual worst-dressed lists -- which were loved and loathed for his scathing comments, and caused quite a stir before the Fashion Police and Joan Rivers, and countless other snarky celebrity fashion commentators came along
However, before he became a fashion icon, in the late 50's, Blackwell was just another actor trying to make it in Hollywood. When his career failed him, he became a dress maker, but it was his outspoken manner that brought him fame. By the 60's his infamous list included the likes of two time worst dressed winner Zsa zsa Gabor, actress Mia Farrow and even Queen Elizabeth. In recent years, names like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears were chart toppers.
The annual issuance of the list was an even more of dramatic affair than the actual names. On the second Tuesday of every January, the media would gather at Blackwell's mansion for a glitzy breakfast. Afterwards, the man of the hour would make an extravagant entrance where he would reveal the 10 worst dressed celebrities of the year.
However, by the late 90's, Blackwell's list wasn't the spectacle it used to be. Rather than a generous meal, he simply sent his list via email. It was around this time too that Blackwell began feeling a little guilty about having been so rude to so many stating, "It's not my intention to hurt the feelings of these people. It's to put down the clothing they're wearing."
But with famous quotes like, "[Barbra Streisand] looks like a masculine Bride of Frankenstein," and "[Lindsay Lohan went] from adorable to deplorable," following him to his grave, Mr. Blackwell is still the biggest bitch of them all -- and we love him for it.
RIP Richard.
Filed under: CELEBRITY STYLE, Celebrity, Hot or Not
Tags: expire-images2009-10-20, fashion police, FashionPolice, joan rivers, joan rivers melissa rivers lisa rinna, JoanRivers, JoanRiversMelissaRiversLisaRinna, mr blackwell, MrBlackwell, richard blackwell, RichardBlackwell, worst dressed, WorstDressed
Tags: expire-images2009-10-20, fashion police, FashionPolice, joan rivers, joan rivers melissa rivers lisa rinna, JoanRivers, JoanRiversMelissaRiversLisaRinna, mr blackwell, MrBlackwell, richard blackwell, RichardBlackwell, worst dressed, WorstDressed
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Scott, 10-20-2008, 2:17PM
Thank God we won't have to live through another one of this old bitch's lists. He's not important or relevant, and his "list" serves only to shock, not inform or enlighten. He was a rude, bitter queen, and may he rest in the peace he tried so venomously and vehemently to deny other people.
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