Style Btch - STYLE.COM

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R.I.P. Mr. Blackwell

October 20th 2008 21:56

ANGELES - Mr. Blackwell, the acerbic designer whose annual worst-dressed list skewered the fashion felonies 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, was a little-known dress designer when he issued his first tongue-in-cheek criticism of Hollywood fashion disasters for 1960 — long before Joan Rivers and others turned such ridicule into a daily affair.

Year after year, he would take Hollywood's reigning stars and other celebrities to task for failing to dress in what he thought was the way they should.
'An armadillo with cornpads'
Being dowdy was bad enough, but the more outrageous clothing a woman wore, the more biting his criticism. He once said a reigning Miss America looked "like an armadillo with cornpads."
A few other examples:
Madonna: "The Bare-Bottomed Bore of Babylon."
Barbra Streisand: "She looks like a masculine Bride of Frankenstein."
Christina Aguilera: "A dazzling singer who puts good taste through the wardrobe wringer."
Meryl Streep: "She looks like a gypsy abandoned by a caravan."
Sharon Stone: "An over-the-hill Cruella DeVille."
Lindsay Lohan: "From adorable to deplorable."
Patti Davis: "Packs all the glamour of an old, worn-out sneaker."
Ann-Margret: "A Hells Angel escapee who invaded the Ziegfeld Follies on a rainy night."
Camilla Parker-Bowles: "The Duchess of Dowdy."
Bjork: "She dances in the dark — and dresses there, too."
Spears: "Her bra-topped collection of Madonna rejects are pure fashion overkill."
Mixed feelings
The critic acknowledged he had mixed feelings about appearing so publicly mean. Most of the women he put through the wringer, he said, were people he genuinely admired for their talent if not their fashion sense.
"The list is and was a satirical look at the fashion flops of the year," he said in 1998. "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."
He told the Los Angeles Times in 1968 that designers were forgetting that their job "is to dress and enhance women. ... Maybe I should have named the 10 worst designers instead of blaming the women who wear their clothes."
Surprisingly, the woman who topped his worst dressed list for 1982 (announced in early 1983) was the newly married Diana, Princess of Wales. He said she had gone from "a very young, independent, fresh look" to a "tacky, dowdy" style. She quickly regained her footing and wound up as a regular on Blackwell's favorites list, the "fabulous fashion independents."
Blackwell had started out as an actor himself, having been spotted by a talent agent while still in his teens. He landed a job as an understudy in the Broadway production of Sidney Kingsley's heralded drama "Dead End."
Although he got to the play the role of the Dead End Kids' leader on stage only one time, it led him to Hollywood where he landed bit parts in such films as "Little Tough Guy" (uncredited) and "Juvenile Hall" (as Dick Selzer).
He abandoned his acting career in 1958 after failing to make it in movies and switched to fashion design. He claimed to be the first to make designer jeans for women, and his salon had begun to attract a few Hollywood names when he issued his first list covering the fashion faux pas of 1960. (Italian star Anna Magnani and Gabor were among his early victims.)
'Worst bitch in the world'
It quickly brought him the celebrity he had long coveted, and he quickly became a favorite on the TV talk show circuit. He also became for a time, in his words, "The worst bitch in the world."
He hosted his own show, "Mr. Blackwell Presents," in 1968 and appeared as himself in such TV shows as "Matlock" and "Matt Houston."
In 1992, he sued Johnny Carson for claiming that he had added Mother Teresa to his list, saying the comment exposed him to hatred and ridicule. NBC's response was that the "Tonight Show" host was obviously joking.
"Did you see what he said about Mother Teresa? 'Miss Nerdy Nun is a fashion no-no,'" Carson had said. "Come on now, that's just too much."
During his heyday the issuing of Blackwell's annual list was an eagerly anticipated media event.
On the second Tuesday in January he would assemble reporters at his mansion for a lavish breakfast before making a dramatic entrance for the television cameras.
By the turning of the millennium, however, the list had lost its juice and Blackwell took to issuing it by e-mail.
Born Richard Sylvan Selzer in 1922, Blackwell recounted in his autobiography, "From Rags to Bitches," a troubled, poverty-ridden childhood in which he was variously a truant, thief and prostitute.

Mr. Blackwell Tribute

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Posted By: Carol Itoh - Category: No Category

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Think Pink!

October 19th 2008 00:41

Breast Cancer Awareness Month engenders more charitable projects from fashion companies than one could imaginable. Here, our favorite pink picks.

1) Swarovski’s Nirvana ring, benefiting The Libby Ross Foundation’s Yoga Program For Breast Cancer Survivors. It’s $260 at www.swarovski.com

2) Tumi Capra’s Passport, benefiting the Susan G. Komen fund. It’s $78 at www.tumi.com

3) Bulgari’s Rose Essentielle fragrance. Ten percent of the proceeds benefit the Susan G. Komen fund. It ranges from $62-98 at www.sephora.com

4) D. L. & Co.’s pink diamond candle. A portion of proceeds benefit cancer research. It’s $85 at www.barneys.com

5) Lacoste’s mainstail limited edition timepiece. Ten percent of proceeds benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. It’s $355 at www.lacoste.com

Remember October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Get checked out and talk to the women in your family so you will have a complete picture of your family history. The life you save may be your own or your daughter's one day. Think Pink!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month
www.pinkribbonday.com.au

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Posted By: Carol Itoh - Category: No Category

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Winter Weddings

October 16th 2008 04:19

Herrera

Lhuillier

Vera Wang

Winter Weddings can the most spectacular events ever. They are elegant, lush, and sophisticated. To the usual theme of fresh flowers can be added the winter elements of ice, snow, and frost that are represented by using crystals and fake snow, and ice. These elements have terrific reflective qualities that bounce the light of candles and other lighting all around the room giving it the look of a prism. The effect is breath-taking and makes the entire venue look like an enchanted garden or a whimsical castle. If you are planning a wedding it is worth considering a Winter Wedding because you are allowed to play with more color and texture than in Summer Weddings, which tend to be more formal and traditional. So melt those cold winter nights with a hot wedding!

More Wedding Fashions

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Posted By: Carol Itoh - Category: No Category

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More Bold Jewelry Trends

October 15th 2008 03:44

Bold and chunky necklaces are the rage again. Just check out these examples from Neiman Marcus. How lovely! This new trend carries one word of caution...beware of what you wear it with. Never wear bold chunky jewelry with big bold prints! Unless the clown look is what you are trying to achieve. These pieces work best with simple solid colors, which of course, are best to accentuate the jewelry. And then you look like a living piece of art!

More Neiman Marcus Here
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Posted By: Carol Itoh - Category: No Category

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Home Most Haunted

October 13th 2008 05:15

Kitchen Witch

The Green Man

Lampshade

Candlabra

Mask

Cage

Mirror

For all those who like to celebrate Halloween but have no little goblins around as the excuse to decorate fear not you can decorate your home in the adult version of Halloween. Here I have given you some ideas for your home decor in Halloween or Gothic style, if you must explain it to your family and friends. So go out bravely and decorate to your hearts desire and enjoy All Hallows Eve!

More Halloween Ideas Here

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Black & White Beauty

October 12th 2008 04:39

Is there anything more stunning and more elegant than black and white? Maybe that is why Truman Capote always annualy held his soiree in these colors, or shall I say lack of colors. A room full of ladies and gentlemen dresses only in black and white is breath taking and inspiring. Nothing can compare. Just look at these gowns, the last two by Ralph Lauren, are the stuff dreams are made of. Who would not want to look like this at any event? Simply Beautiful!

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Posted By: Carol Itoh - Category: No Category

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Lavin Intrique

October 11th 2008 04:24

"Whatever's happening now," he said, "it's the end of fake. What's not real will go. What we have to do now is make life easier for women." These are the words of Alber Elbaz the designer for Lavin as he explained his collection in Paris. Airy shapes in poufy gazar, duchesse satin, georgette, and cloque were crafted from single shots of color in one-shouldered tops, balloon-sleeved blouses, and shifts in which the only feature is an internal drape that adds a miraculously chic fillip to the hip line. In it's reductionism simplicity it was sophisticated, elegant, and modern. But to add a dash of flash it was the shoes that made the boldest statement, with bling covering the heels. So upon entering the room a woman makes the proper refined elegant statement most others would find impressive but upon exiting the room she will leave a long lasting impression of just a small dash of flash about her. Who would not find that intriquing?

Lavin 09 Collection Here
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Posted By: Carol Itoh - Category: No Category

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Limi Feu Too Many

October 11th 2008 02:16

Limi Feu

At the Limi Feu Collection show in Paris she confused most with her wide variety of themes. Some looks were very urban like highly priced ganstas, some english country side elements thrown in like the galoshes,and the ultimate in confusion, the machine gun faux magazine clips cris-crossed across some models. And in what effort was all this done? To prove she can appeal to all stratas of societies? To the urban hip hop crowd? To the genteel horsey folks? And that she can even dress the radical militant? Well good for you Limi. But pick a theme and run with it. When you try to appeal to half the world in one collection it's a bit much. There are several shows a year, you can work your way though all the groups that need dressing, just don't cram them all in at one time. It makes for a hodgepodge and unattractive mess.

Limi Peu Collection Here

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Posted By: Carol Itoh - Category: No Category

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Blush and Rush

October 9th 2008 02:02

Blush is particular picky spot with me. Most people unfortunately apply it all wrong. They slather it on as if they were preparing to perform for Barnum & Bailey. There is nothing more garish than to see a well dressed and coiffed woman with improperly applied make-up. And I see it all the time. I would almost rather see none at all than to see a look completely ruined by too much blush. It makes me want to hand her a tissue and tell her that the tranny look is not appropriate for the office. Below are the instructions on how to properly apply blush. Please read them carefully and if it doesn’t apply to you print it off and give it to someone it does apply to. Why women will seek the help of a hair stylist and the help of a fashion stylist but never of a cosmetics stylist is beyond me. If you cannot afford to meet with a professional make-up consultant then buy magazines, look online, or just be observant of the most stylish women around you. There are many resources out there to learn the proper amount of make-up to wear for any event and the way to apply it for that complete and polished look.
Matte Natural Colors are Best ...
Blush is available in compact and cream forms and comes in three basic shades: peach, pink, or brown. Matte natural colors are best. Powder blush is the easiest to handle. Cream blush is best for dry skin because it contains oil that moisturizes your skin. The best way to apply blush is after the foundation application and must be blended perfectly to make sure the edges are subtly blended in. Pick your colors carefully and use a good brush since you want your blush application to look like a natural healthy glow

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