Mr. Blackwell still doesn’t like Victoria Beckham’s spice

LOS ANGELES — A decade after singling out the Spice Girls as fashion atrocities, Mr. Blackwell put just one of them — Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham — at the top of his 48th annual worst-dressed list.

The acid-tongued critic, who was designing dresses for the rich and famous when he originated the list in 1960, skewered entertainment’s biggest stars in the latest compilation of fashion follies.

Saying it’s all in fun to encourage fashion consciousness, Blackwell heaped venom on Beckham, his No. 1 choice on the list, which was released Tuesday.

“Forget the fashion spice, wearing a skirt would suffice! In one skinny-mini monstrosity after another, pouty Posh can really wreck-em,” he said in a statement.

An e-mail message to Beckham’s publicist, Cheryl Maisel, wasn’t immediately answered.

Blackwell listed the Spice Girls as No. 1 in his 1998 worst-dressed list, deriding the group as “the only spices on the planet that have no taste.”

Britney Spears, who has made the list many times before, is missing this year.

“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.

The top 10 roll-call of fashion dishonors also includes:

No. 2: Amy Winehouse — “Exploding beehives above, tacky polka-dots below, she’s part ’50s carhop horror.”

No. 3: Mary-Kate Olsen — “She resembles a tattered toothpick — trapped in a hurricane.”

No. 4: Fergie — “Yes, when it comes to couture chaos, guess it’s all in a name!”

His top 10 also includes Kelly Clarkson, Eva Green, Avril Lavigne, Jessica Simpson, Lindsay Lohan and Alison Arngrim.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Darryl Dyck file photo
Mohammed Asif, an Indian national, conspired with others to bill Medicare for COVID-19 and other respiratory tests that hadn’t been ordered or performed, according to a U.S. Department of Justice press release.
Man sentenced to 2 years in prison for $1 million health care fraud scheme

Mohammed Asif, 35, owned an Everett-based testing laboratory and billed Medicare for COVID-19 tests that patients never received.

Snohomish County Fire District No. 4 and Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue responded to a two-vehicle head-on collision on U.S. 2 on Feb. 21, 2024, in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Fire District #4)
Family of Monroe woman killed in U.S. 2 crash sues WSDOT for $50 million

The wrongful death lawsuit filed in Snohomish County Superior Court on Nov. 24 alleges the agency’s negligence led to Tu Lam’s death.

Judy Tuohy, the executive director of the Schack Art Center, in 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Director of Everett’s Schack Art Center announces retirement

Judy Tuohy, also a city council member, will step down from the executive director role next year after 32 years in the position.

Human trafficking probe nets arrest of Calif. man, rescue of 17-year-old girl

The investigation by multiple agencies culminated with the arrest of a California man in Snohomish County.

A Flock Safety camera on the corner of 64th Avenue West and 196th Street Southwest on Oct. 28, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett seeks SnoCo judgment that Flock footage is not public record

The filing comes after a Skagit County judge ruled Flock footage is subject to records requests. That ruling is under appeal.

Information panels on display as a part of the national exhibit being showcased at Edmonds College on Nov. 19, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds College hosts new climate change and community resilience exhibit

Through Jan. 21, visit the school library in Lynnwood to learn about how climate change is affecting weather patterns and landscapes and how communities are adapting.

Lynnwood City Council members gather for a meeting on Monday, March 17, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood raises property, utility taxes amid budget shortfall

The council approved a 24% property tax increase, lower than the 53% it was allowed to enact without voter approval.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood hygiene center requires community support to remain open

The Jean Kim Foundation needs to raise $500,000 by the end of the year. The center provides showers to people experiencing homelessness.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Vending machines offer hope in Snohomish County in time for the holidays.

Mariners’ radio announcer Rick Rizzs will help launch a Light The World Giving Machine Tuesday in Lynnwood. A second will be available in Arlington on Dec. 13.

UW student from Mukilteo receives Rhodes Scholarship

Shubham Bansal, who grew up in Mukilteo, is the first UW student to receive the prestigous scholarship since 2012.

Roger Sharp looks over memorabilia from the USS Belknap in his home in Marysville on Nov. 14, 2025. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
‘A gigantic inferno’: 50 years later, Marysville vet recalls warship collision

The USS Belknap ran into the USS John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1975. The ensuing events were unforgettable.

Large logs flow quickly down the Snohomish River as the river reaches minor flood stage a hair over 25 feet following an overnight storm Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Substantial’ atmospheric river brings flooding threat to Snohomish County

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch as an atmospheric band of water vapor arrives from the tropics Monday.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.