Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Victoria Beckham 'worst-dressed celebrity'

Victoria Beckham, who markets sunglasses and jeans under her own designer label, has been judged the world’s worst-dressed celebrity by a leading fashion guru.

Acid-tongued Richard Blackwell, who was designing dresses for the rich and famous when he started the list in 1960, attacked entertainment’s biggest stars in his compilation of fashion disasters for 2007. It is the second time Mrs Beckham has made an appearance in the list’s number one slot.In 1998 she featured along with her Spice Girl band mates who were derided by Mr Blackwell as "the only spices on the planet that have no taste."

And the 85-year-old LA-based designer still had plenty of venom to heap on the mother-of-three this year.

He said: "Forget the fashion spice, wearing a skirt would suffice! In one skinny-mini monstrosity after another, pouty Posh can really wreck-em."

Other stars listed for their fashion disasters included singers Amy Winehouse, Fergie, Kelly Clarkson and Jessica Simpson, Bond girl Eva Green and actress Lindsay Lohan.
Missing from the list was Britney Spears, who has made it many times before.

"I felt that it was inappropriate at this time to make comment, when her personal life is in such upheaval. I hope 2008 is a better year for her," Blackwell said.

His best-dressed list for 2007, which is not ranked, included Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Reese Witherspoon, Jemima Khan, Angelina Jolie, Beyonce, Helen Mirren, Katie Holmes, Katherine Heigl and Prince William’s girlfriend, Kate Middleton.

Richard Blackwell started his own clothing line, The House of Blackwell, in the 1950s and dressed actresses Jayne Mansfield and Jane Russell as well as first lady Nancy Reagan, among other famous names.

He was an important designer and during the 1960s he became the first in history to present his line on a television broadcast; and the first to make his line available for plus-size women.

The emergence of casual-wear in the 1980s brought an end to his fashion-line.

He is now best known as a fashion journalist and for producing his annual best and worst dressed lists every January.

The top 10 roll-call of fashion dishonours is:

1. Victoria Beckham - singer/fashion designer. Posh has remained top of the tabloid agenda this year with her move to America and role in reforming the Spice Girls. But despite writing a fashion guide David’s wife, seen stepping out in a neon dress and matching acid-yellow shoes this week, has had her fair share of wardrobe disasters. Mr Blackwell said: "Forget the fashion spice, wearing a skirt would suffice! In one skinny-mini monstrosity after another, pouty Posh can really wreck-em."

2. Amy Winehouse - singer. The soulful singer, one of the most photographed stars of 2007, is characterised by her slew of trucker tattoos, towering hair-do and thick black-eyeliner. Mr Blackwell said: "Exploding beehives above, tacky polka-dots below, she’s part 50’s carhop horror."

3. Mary Kate Olsen - actress. With sister Ashley she is one half of the hugely successful Olsen twins, who have starred in TV shows and films as well as having their own clothing and make-up line. Mary Kate has been a regular in the fashion magazines, singled out for her bohemian style and ultra-skinny figure, but it’s not to everyone’s taste. Mr Blackwell said: "She resembles a tattered toothpick-trapped in a hurricane."

4. Fergie - singer. Stacy Ann Ferguson, solo singer and member of the Black Eyed Peas group, has raised many eyebrows with her wardrobe of garish and revealing outfits. Mr Blackwell said: "Yes, when it comes to couture chaos, guess it’s all in a name!"

5. Kelly Clarkson - singer. Clarkson shot to fame after winning the American Idol talent show in 2002, but is regularly derided by fashion critics for her style, particularly her affection for cropped tops. Mr Blackwell slammed her for: "belly-baring bombs".


6 . Eva Green - actress. The French star of Bond film Casino Royale was noted by Vogue for her "killer looks, intelligence and modesty", and has modelled for numerous fashion brands including Armani and Dior. She is known for her quirky gothic style, but clearly not everybody is a fan. Mr Blackwell’s opinion is that she is "Stuck in neon nightmares".

7 . Avril Lavigne - singer. The Canadian Grammy award-nominated musician is famed for her punk-rock style popular among teenagers, and is often pictured wearing black. Mr Blackwell criticised her for "Gothic make-up courtesy the mad spatula."

8. Jessica Simpson - singer/actress. The blonde country and pop artist is admired for her pneumatic figure, and is not afraid to show it off. She garnered more attention for her tiny hotpants than her acting skills as Daisy Duke in her first film, The Dukes of Hazzard. But she has also had her fair share of criticism for her skimpy clothes. Mr Blackwell said: "She’s a global fashion curse."

9. Lindsay Lohan - actress. Child star Lohan, now 21, has been in the limelight for all the wrong reasons in the past 12 months. The hard-partying actress has been in and out of rehab and was caught with cocaine by police and then arrested twice for driving under the influence. Style critics say her lifestyle has taken its toll on her appearance. Mr Blackwell said: "Fashion frenzy strikes again."

10. Alison Arngrim - actress/comedian. Best known for her "bad girl" role in US televison show Little House on the Prairie, the stand-up comic is accused of being frumpy. Mr Blackwell said: "Looks like a 1940’s fashion editor for the Farmers Almanac."

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