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Fashion critic Mr. Blackwell, he of the worst-dressed list, slipped into a coma this week. Richard Blackwell, 85, collapsed at his home and was unconscious when he was brought to the hospital on Tuesday, publicist Harlan Boll said. But worry not, he’s back! Blackwell was given antibiotics to treat the unspecified infection and regained consciousness in a hospital Thursday. “He appears to be cognizant of his surrounding and acknowledged his partner, Spencer,” Boll said. We wish him all the best.
Blackwell was a noted fashion designer in the fifties and sixties who dressed the likes of Jane Russell and Dorothy Lamour. But we love him most for his annual list of worst-dressed women, first issued in 1960 (he was hatin’ on celebrity fashion loooong before the celebrity weeklies started all those Fashion Police features).
Topping this year’s list was Victoria Beckham, about whom Blackwell said: “In one skinny-mini monstrosity after another, pouty ‘Posh’ Beckham can really wreck-em.” The No. 2 slot went to soul singer Amy Winehouse, whom he called a “50’s car-hop horror” (and who we personally believe to be harboring the world’s bee population).
Third runner-up was diminutive actress Mary-Kate Olsen who, Blackwell said, “resembles a tattered toothpick trapped in a hurricane.” And to think, we came thisclose to losing him. Here’s to a complete and speedy recovery. —Noelle Hancock
Fashion critic Mr. Blackwell regains consciousness [Yahoo]
Hollywood fashion maven Mr. Blackwell in a coma [Reuters UK]
