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When Sharon Stone wears a gown that looks like she's been shot or Lindsay Lohan goes out in public in an insanely sheer dress, Mr. Blackwell considers their candidacy for his annual top 10 worst dressed. Countless actresses and singers made questionable wardrobe choices in 2007. The overexposed, the under-dressed, and the over-the-top take center stage in this yearly ritual. Tomorrow Mr. Blackwell, the well-known fashion critic and designer, will unveil his 48th Annual Worst-Dressed Women list. LAist asked Mr. Blackwell about dressing movie stars, his favorite style icon, and of course our fascination with fashion disasters.
LAist: When did you start your annual list?
Mr. Blackwell: The first official list was in 1961, although there was an editorial that really began the whole thing in 1960. The 1960 article ran in American Weekly Magazine in the LA Examiner. The 1961 was nationally syndicated based on the demand.
What inspired you to start the list?
I was sick of the ugly clothes that were being presented in the fashion industry and as dress designer I wanted to express my opinion. I never expected it to be this big.
Who has been on your list the most times?
Oh God, I don't know. It's been 48 years. For worst, I think it was Barbra Streisand. In recent years, she has also appeared on the Best Dressed List. Madonna was on the worst list a number of times and in fact said it was the one thing she could really depend on. Very few women who appeared on the list were ever really upset. Many of them were thrilled. I think I got more thank you notes from those on the worst dressed list than the best.
Who was the person you least expected to make the worst dressed list?
Elizabeth Taylor was one that I and others wouldn’t expect to have made the list but she did.
What is the single, biggest mistake celebrities make when they choose outfits for the red carpet?
Most make the mistake of wearing what’s considered "in," but are not necessarily right for them. Their greatest investments are a hairbrush and a three-way mirror.
Why do you think people enjoy seeing fashion disasters?
Everyone is drawn to a disaster. They are all compelled to stop and look at the accident. Unfortunately, people love tragedies. They also like to build up heroes just to tear them down. Britney Spears never got so much media attention when she was behaving herself.
Your designs have been worn by countless stars. Who was your favorite person to design for?
Anne Blyth was wonderful and my second favorite was Jayne Mansfield. Those would be both sides of my designing career coin.
Who is your all-time favorite style icon?
Catherine Deneuve without a doubt.
Tomorrow we'll find out if Paris Hilton, Mischa Barton, or the Olsen twins made the list. Who do you think is Mr. Blackwell's number one worst dressed?
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That Blackwell's a total fogey. I sat behind him at a comedy at the Geffen Playhouse a bunch of years ago and at the intermission he complained to his companion that he wanted to move because I laughed too loud. The nerve of me to enjoy the show in his presence. The nerve!