Richard Blackwell, better known as Mr. Blackwell, died on Sunday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center of complications from an intestinal infection, according to his publicist, Harlan Boll.
Mr. Blackwell, a little known dress designer, became famous for his annual satirical review of the worst dressed celebrities, beginning in 1960. This was long before everyone else jumped on the bashing of celebrity fashion disasters, and back in the day, people eagerly awaited and/or dreaded his annual pronouncements.
Although his commentary was always mean spirited (it was intended to be satirical), he claimed that he actually admired most of his targets for their great talent.
Some of his more famous comments:
- Madonna: "The Bare-Bottomed Bore of Babylon."
- Barbra Streisand: "She looks like a masculine Bride of Frankenstein."
- Christina Aguilera: "A dazzling singer who puts good taste through the wardrobe wringer."
- Lindsay Lohan: "From adorable to deplorable."
- Ann-Margstret: "A Hells Angel escapee who invaded the Ziegfeld Follies on a rainy night."
- Camilla Parker-Bowles: "The Duchess of Dowdy."
- Spears: "Her bra-topped collection of Madonna rejects are pure fashion overkill."
R.I.P. Mr. Blackwell.
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