Mr. Blackwell, the fashion critic whose annual worst-dressed list poured gallons of acid on the fashion tastes of celebrities from Zsa Zsa Gabor to Britney Spears, has died. He was 86.
Blackwell died Sunday of complications from an intestinal infection, publicist Harlan Boll said.
Blackwell, whose first name was Richard, started his career as a fashion designer, but it was his tongue-in-cheek criticism of Hollywood fashion disasters made him a celebrity of his own.
A creator of the Ten Worst Dressed Women list, an annual awards presentation he unveils in January of each year, Mr. Blackwell also published the "Fabulous Fashion Independents" list and an annual Academy Awards fashion review, both of which receive somewhat less media attention. He has written two books, Mr. Blackwell: 30 Years of Fashion Fiascos and an autobiography, From Rags to Bitches.
Every year Mr. Blackwell would ridicule the taste of Hollywood's stars and other celebrities - and issue praise to those who mastered the art of dressing tastefully.
Here are some of his latest (and last) gems:
On Amy Winehouse: "exploding beehives above, tacky polka-dots below. She's part 50s car-hop horror."
On Mary Kate Olsen: "She resembles a tattered toothpick trapped in a hurricane."
On Fergie: "Yes, when it comes to couture chaos, guess it's all in a name!"
On Victoria Beckham: "In one skinny-mini monstrosity after another, pouty Posh can really wreck 'em."
We will really miss him. Who else will dare to say the truth?
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