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Barbra Streisand slideshow promo The worst of the worst? You be the judge. George Birch/AP
 

by Bridget Bentz

Mr. Blackwell — the no-first-name-needed celebrity-fashion critic whose annual worst-dressed list opened the door for the likes of Joan and Melissa, Steven Cojocaru, and the editors of US Weekly Magazine — died Oct. 19 at the age of 86.

In his memory — and, let's face it, because most of 'em deserve another beat-down — we've pulled together a slideshow of some of his most flagrant fashion offenders.

And we've drawn up a list of Things We Didn't Know About Mr. Blackwell, starting with:

1. His first name: It was Richard.

After the jump: four more dubiously interesting tidbits ...

2. He wasn't just a hater. In addition to the worst-dressed list (first published in 1960), Mr. Blackwell also issued a list of "Fabulous Fashion Independents" who dressed well. A few savvy celebs (notably Princess Diana — but not Bjork, poor thing) were able to class up and migrate from the dark side to the light side.

3. Some celebrities never aspired to a place on the Fabulous list. Dolly ("It costs a lot to look this cheap") Parton reportedly sent Mr. Blackwell a thank-you note when she topped his worst-dressed list in 1978.

4. He wrote an autobiography. The title: From Rags To Bitches.

5. His fashion line, The House of Blackwell, once dressed then-California first lady Nancy Reagan.

categories: Fashion

6:02 - October 20, 2008

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