In his heyday, Mr. Blackwell cut a caustic swath through the pop culture landscape. He was an actual fashion designer but was far more known for his abrasive comments about celebrities who landed on his annual worst-dressed list. In fact, though his comments were acerbic and sharp, I suspect some starlets welcomed the attention because, in show biz, any attention is usually a good thing.

Mr. Blackwell died Sunday in Los Angeles. He was 86.

He occasionally applauded celebrities whom he thought dressed with taste and style and verve. But it was the juicy worst-dressed list that drew the most interest. He issued his 48th and final rundown in January for 2007. It included this jibe -- "Jessica Simpson: Forget the Cowboys. In prom queen screams, can it get any worse? She's a global fashion curse!"

We take a look back at some of his biting descriptions from the past, courtesy of the Associated Press:

[Photo: Malcolm Ali / WireImage]

Sharon Stone: "She looks like an over-the-hill Cruella de Ville."

Cameron Diaz: "Looks like she was dressed by a colorblind circus clown, and when it comes to fashion, it's chaos when Cameron's back in town."

Cher (seen here): "A million beads and one overexposed derriere."

Madonna: "From Ghetto Glam to Rhinestone Cowgirl to Mrs. Guy Ritchie. Any way you label it, she's still just kitschy, kitschy, kitschy."

Courtney Love: "When push comes to shove, no one's fashion is tackier and wackier than funky, punky Love!"

Mary Kate Olsen: "She resembles a tattered toothpick trapped in a hurricane."

Rene Zellweger: "A painted pumpkin on a pogo stick."

Bjork: "She dances in the dark -- and dresses there, too."

Elizabeth Taylor: "Looks like two small boys fighting under a mink blanket."

Amy Winehouse: "Exploding beehives above, tacky polka-dots below, she's part 50's carhop horror."

Sarah Jessica Parker: "From 'Sex and the City' Sarah's fashions are a mix-and-match pity."

Mariah Carey: "Shrink-wrapped cheesecake."