Acid-tongued fashion critic Mr. Blackwell has passed away due to an intestinal infection at the age of 86.
Mr. Blackwell was born Richard Sylvan Selzer in America’s fashion capital, New York City. He wrote his first fashion critique in 1960 and continued to work until his death. He hosted his own television program, Mr. Blackwell Presents, in 1968, and even designed his own clothing line.
But Mr. Blackwell will be best remembered for taunting Hollywood starlets and icons alike in his annual worst-dressed list.
Some of Mr. Blackwell’s most popular fashion victims include the always outrageous pop diva Cher, socialite heiress Paris Hilton, and Hermes Birkin bag loving Brit Victoria Beckham.
“I merely said out loud what others were whispering. It’s not my intention to hurt the feelings of these people. It’s to put down the clothing they’re wearing,” Mr. Blackwell once said.
Mr. Blackwell’s quick wit and brutal honesty will be sorely missed.
